Premier wrong on research hub: Carr

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This article was published 31/03/2017 (3137 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The lone Manitoban in the federal cabinet takes issue with Premier Brian Pallister’s assertion that Ottawa is “equivocating” about locating a $60-million aerospace and automobile research hub in Winnipeg.

“It’s a go,” Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr said Friday, referring to a project known as a “factory of the future.”

“Prime Minister (Justin Trudeau) has repeated the assurances that (Innovation, Science and Economic Development) Minister (Navdeep) Bains gave to Manitobans only a few weeks ago that we’re committed to the Factory of the Future. It’s an excellent project for Canada and for Manitoba,” Carr said.

Pallister has said he will not negotiate a health funding deal with Ottawa until the feds put in writing that the research hub project is going ahead in Winnipeg as promised.

Manitoba is the last province not to sign on to the federal-provincial health funding arrangement.

Pallister has accused Ottawa during the health accord negotiations of linking support for the research hub to getting the province to end its holdout.

He said he won’t resume negotiations with the feds until the threat is off the table.

The premier maintained that stance even after Trudeau expressed support for the project in Winnipeg on Wednesday.

Trudeau said Ottawa is “very favourably inclined” to the project and “working hard to make sure that it happens.”

While many were reassured by the prime minister’s words, Pallister heard equivocation.

He noted the research hub is a multi-faceted project not tied to one particular city.

But Carr said he’s been assured the research hub is still on for Winnipeg.

“I have spoken to Minister Bains, and I feel confident in saying that it’s a commitment from the Government of Canada, and it’s not equivocal,” he said.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca