The report says: "He (Hudak) said he'd work with the federal government along with mining companies, but didn't say if he'd ask Ottawa for money to build a much-needed transportation route to the remote area.

Premier Kathleen Wynne has slammed Prime Minister Stephen Harper, saying he's not coming to the table with a billion dollars to build the route. She's also tried to paint Hudak as a weak leader who won't stand up to his federal cousins to get the cash."

The Feds money is part of the total package (matching fund or otherwise) and should not be a problem when Hudak (as the next Premier) comes with specific plans for the RoF, as required by the Feds, and Minister Rickford said this many times, regardless of what party in power after the June 12 election. The Feds will not give out a blank cheque without the detailed proposals for specific projects. It would be unreasonable for the current Premier to expect $1B matching fund from the Feds with some general description like "RoF infrastructure" (Obvious question from Rickford, Harper, or any taxpayer): What kind of infrastructure?).

There is no need for Hudak "to stand up" to the Feds. He would come smiling and politely asking the federal bros for some spare change (Picture this scenario, Feds ask: How much money you want for that plan of your?; Answer: uh, a $B, or two; Feds come back: Why not three?).

Fed money should be no problem for a provincial (PC) cousins.In addition, the Feds would want to project an image of a champion for the development of the northern frontier, and nation builder to voters, considering a federal election is coming in about 2 years.

goldhunter