Money for ‘major’ infrastructure projects in budget, Flaherty says

OTTAWA – Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says his upcoming budget will contain money for “major” infrastructure projects.

Flaherty told CTV’s Question Period that infrastructure is a good investment, but the government must be prudent at the same time.

He says any spending on infrastructure must get the approval of the federal auditor general.

Flaherty also says it’s important that any federal infrastructure spending doesn’t fall prey to corruption, as it has in some parts of the country — a thinly veiled reference to Quebec’s construction scandals.

An ongoing public inquiry in Quebec has heard stunning testimony about illegal political financing, corruption of officials and Mafia and biker ties in the province’s construction sector.

The finance minister is set to release his budget on Tuesday.