Justice Minister Ross Landry told reporters Thursday “the decision” on the proposed trade centre for downtown Halifax is “a sound decision.”
But there hasn’t been a decision on whether or not the province will help fund the project.
Landry was asked by reporters Thursday if he thought a new trade centre in Halifax’s urban core would be a tough sell to his constituents in Pictou County.
“I think the decision is a sound decision,” he said. “I think the information that we’re basing it on, and where we’re going as a province, it’ll have economic benefit throughout the province, so I believe the people of Pictou County will look at this objectively.”
When asked what the decision was, Landry clarified we’ll have to “wait and see what the decision is.”
Premier Darrell Dexter clarified further. “There’s no announcement being made with respect to the world trade and convention centre today,” he said. “This is something that needs to be considered carefully … we want to make sure that it is the best possible result for (taxpayers).”
The province revealed on Wednesday that it, along with the municipality, would be asked to contribute $13.1 million a year for 25 years starting in 2014 – the year the province plans to be “back to balance.” The next provincial election will also be held in 2014.
Ottawa is also expected to contribute a $46-million lump sum payment to developer Rank Inc. when the building is complete, although that funding is not yet guaranteed.
