David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/province-pulls-funding-francophonie-games-1.4972073
Province pulls funding to Francophonie Games committee
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.
Commenting is now closed for this story.
David R. Amos
Surprise Surprise Surprise
Marc Martin
If there would have been an
Anglophone Game you would hear crickets, and none of the complainers on
this site would have said anything.
Dan Armitage
@Marc Martin thanks for making it language it has nothing to do with our economic troubled province well done again Martin
Andrew Clarkson
@Marc Martin
Horse puckey!
Horse puckey!
Natalie Pugh
@Marc Martin This would
never have even been considered if it was Anglophone Games and shouldn't
be, not when NB is broke and servises are dwindeling!
@Marc Martin you're really grasping now, aren't you little man ??
cheryl wright
@Marc Martin that is untrue
and you know it. stop playing the language/victim card. we cant afford
it, they lied.. done deal... deal done.
Marc Martin
@cheryl wright
It is true, facts don't lie, you can see how many Anglo made this a language issue.
It is true, facts don't lie, you can see how many Anglo made this a language issue.
Paul Estey
@Marc Martin Thats BS!...This
is not a French /English issue, nor should it be....Its an financial
issue...I dont know where that amount of money over a 2 week period
makes any sense, given the minimal return of the investment.
Furthermore, the desperate state of our provincial finances speaks for
itself. This falls back on the prior government for not making these
numbers public back in April and then making a decision at that time
instead of hiding the figures until after the election. At least Roger
Melanson has come forward and shed the light on the issue and advised
the committee back in April 2018 that the $130 million figure was
unacceptable. My question is where was Brian Gallant in all this
because if he didn't know about the $130 million price tag then I would
suggest he was infact an "absentee Premier"...
Marc Martin
@Paul Estey
*This is not a French /English issue*
Well your Anglo friends made it a language issue.
*This is not a French /English issue*
Well your Anglo friends made it a language issue.
David R. Amos
@Marc Martin NOPE You Do
Marc Martin
@David R. Amos
Harassing me again Davis ?
Harassing me again Davis ?
David R. Amos
@Marc Martin Who is Davis?
Lou Bell
@Marc Martin Downvotes / Upvotes . Hmmm , things don't look good for the SANB Party next election .
Lou Bell
" Common Sense " to the
majority of NB'ers ! Other than the Green member , to whom it has a
different meaning , as he follows that of his hero from a few decades
back .
David R. Amos
@Lou Bell Methinks the Watermelon Party's French Lieutenant still has no clue what common sense is yet N'esy Pas?
Mark Murphy
Just cancel the games . do
not spend 1 more thin dime . NB is bankrupt and these games are that
games . NB cannot afford to waste what little monies they have ..
This is a joke
This is a joke
David R. Amos
@Mark Murphy "This is a joke"
Welcome to the Circus
Welcome to the Circus
Mack Leigh
Next move should be to shut
down the Office of Official Languages and to send our Official Languages
Minister packing...... As an employee of ...all.... of the taxpayers
he should not be involved in the paramedic case at all.... Along with
taxpayers now paying for the fees of his lawyer M.
Doucet....disgusting... Time to either cancel or rewrite the Official
Languages Act so that it represents ...all.... of the people in NB....
No more behind closed door meetings being held without representation
from the majority of people in NB....
Marc Martin
@Mack Leigh
*he should not be involved in the paramedic case at all*
That is part of his job of course he should.
*Time to either cancel or rewrite the Official Languages Act so that it represents ...all.... of the people in NB*
It already represent both, please show me where it does not ?
*No more behind closed door meetings being held without representation from the majority of people in NB...*
The way democracy works you vote for a representative and they make the decision you didn't know ?
*he should not be involved in the paramedic case at all*
That is part of his job of course he should.
*Time to either cancel or rewrite the Official Languages Act so that it represents ...all.... of the people in NB*
It already represent both, please show me where it does not ?
*No more behind closed door meetings being held without representation from the majority of people in NB...*
The way democracy works you vote for a representative and they make the decision you didn't know ?
reginald churchill
@Mack Leigh --------well said and I'm sure most people here in New Brunswick would agree with this.
reginald churchill
@Marc Martin -----a true democracy would represent all the people in New Brunswick not just self interest groups
Marc Martin
@reginald churchill
This is a *true* democracy, the democracy you want is called a dictatorship where they oppress, segregate and assimilate the minorities.
This is a *true* democracy, the democracy you want is called a dictatorship where they oppress, segregate and assimilate the minorities.
Mark Murphy
@Mack Leigh different topic . not appropriate in this context
Dave Peters
@Marc Martin There is that
word again, assimilate. The cry of the so called oppressed. We are a
country with a diversified population. No government should be
responsible for the hundreds of minorities in this country to maintain
their language or culture. Do you really believe that the hundreds of
minorities who come here from other places dwell on how government is
going to protect their language & culture. If they want to preserve
the traditions of their country where they come from they can do this
in their homes & communities supported by the very people in their
community. This is only reasonable.
Jake Devries
@Marc Martin The Language Commisioner should change title to a more accurate one: Franco Commissioner
Jake Devries
@Marc Martin that's called a majority and is the basis of democracy
Marc Martin
@Dave Peters
*No government should be responsible for the hundreds of minorities in this country to maintain their language or culture*
So why am I paying for your English schools, English museums and English festivals ? The logic of the PANB group everyone should pay for ours but we don't pay for others.
*No government should be responsible for the hundreds of minorities in this country to maintain their language or culture*
So why am I paying for your English schools, English museums and English festivals ? The logic of the PANB group everyone should pay for ours but we don't pay for others.
Marc Martin
@Jake Devries
The language commissioner takes English complaints you didn't know ?
The language commissioner takes English complaints you didn't know ?
Marc Martin
@Jake Devries
So if we take you logic in account the Liberal should be in power then ?
So if we take you logic in account the Liberal should be in power then ?
Jake Devries
@Marc Martin no, because we don't have "direct voting" provincially or federally...we have seats/ridings..
Jake Devries
@Marc Martin does he?? All we've seen is Franco whining...
Natalie Pugh
@Marc Martin
*No government should be responsible for the hundreds of minorities in this country to maintain their language or culture*
So why am I paying for your English schools, English museums and English festivals ?
Maybe the answer is in your own comment.....We are not a minority!
*No government should be responsible for the hundreds of minorities in this country to maintain their language or culture*
So why am I paying for your English schools, English museums and English festivals ?
Maybe the answer is in your own comment.....We are not a minority!
Natalie Pugh
@Marc Martin
"The language commissioner takes English complaints you didn't know"
Really? Can you give us one example of when an English complaint was filed and investigated appropriately?
"The language commissioner takes English complaints you didn't know"
Really? Can you give us one example of when an English complaint was filed and investigated appropriately?
Lou Bell
@Marc Martin He just doesn't follow through on them !
Marc Martin
@Jake Devries
But still you are contradicting yourself since the majority of people voted Liberals.
But still you are contradicting yourself since the majority of people voted Liberals.
Marc Martin
@Jake Devries
That's because they have no complain that are valid, you are being serviced in your language across the province. By the way having the English language first on forms is not a matter for complains...
That's because they have no complain that are valid, you are being serviced in your language across the province. By the way having the English language first on forms is not a matter for complains...
Marc Martin
@Natalie Pugh
*Really? Can you give us one example of when an English complaint was filed and investigated appropriately?*
Can you give me an example where a complaint was made and wasn't investigated ? there is none..
*Really? Can you give us one example of when an English complaint was filed and investigated appropriately?*
Can you give me an example where a complaint was made and wasn't investigated ? there is none..
Fred Brewer
@Marc Martin
"The language commissioner takes English complaints you didn't know ?"
Yes, and then he/she rejects them all. Can you point to one single instance where the Official Languages Commissioner has upheld or protected and anglophone's rights?
"The language commissioner takes English complaints you didn't know ?"
Yes, and then he/she rejects them all. Can you point to one single instance where the Official Languages Commissioner has upheld or protected and anglophone's rights?
Marc Martin
@Lou Bell
But which one ? Your quick to say that but which complain was done ?
But which one ? Your quick to say that but which complain was done ?
Marc Martin
@Fred Brewer
But can you point one to me that was valid ? You cant now can ya..case closed.
But can you point one to me that was valid ? You cant now can ya..case closed.
Fred Brewer
@Marc Martin
"But can you point one to me that was valid ? You cant now can ya..case closed."
Well let's see... how about the discriminatory sign bylaws of Dieppe? How about the flying of the Acadian flag on government buildings? How about the demotion of an anglophone commissionaire who could not speak French but was willing to get someone who could?
Is that enough for you Marc? I could add hundreds more but the complaints made and rejected by the Commissioner are top secret. No transparency at this office. Time for the office to be abolished
"But can you point one to me that was valid ? You cant now can ya..case closed."
Well let's see... how about the discriminatory sign bylaws of Dieppe? How about the flying of the Acadian flag on government buildings? How about the demotion of an anglophone commissionaire who could not speak French but was willing to get someone who could?
Is that enough for you Marc? I could add hundreds more but the complaints made and rejected by the Commissioner are top secret. No transparency at this office. Time for the office to be abolished
Marc Martin
@Fred Brewer
*how about the discriminatory sign bylaws of Dieppe*
How is that discriminatory ? Both language have to be on signs.
*How about the flying of the Acadian flag on government buildings? *
What does this have to do with French language ? Their are a lot of English Acadians.
*How about the demotion of an anglophone commissionaire who could not speak French but was willing to get someone who could? *
A private company hired him and made an error, he was not employed by the province. Commissionaire are hired all the time in Federal and Provincial building and all are required to be bilingual.
Totally bogus complaints educate yourself.
*I could add hundreds more but the complaints made *
Hundred complaints that are not valid. You cant even point me one that is.
*how about the discriminatory sign bylaws of Dieppe*
How is that discriminatory ? Both language have to be on signs.
*How about the flying of the Acadian flag on government buildings? *
What does this have to do with French language ? Their are a lot of English Acadians.
*How about the demotion of an anglophone commissionaire who could not speak French but was willing to get someone who could? *
A private company hired him and made an error, he was not employed by the province. Commissionaire are hired all the time in Federal and Provincial building and all are required to be bilingual.
Totally bogus complaints educate yourself.
*I could add hundreds more but the complaints made *
Hundred complaints that are not valid. You cant even point me one that is.
Jake Devries
@Marc Martin quantity versus quality...
Jake Devries
@Marc Martin that SANB appointee would rather go after a disabled veteran Commissionaire...
Marc Martin
@Jake Devries
*quantity versus quality...*
Quantity = Anglophone complaints Quality = Francophone complaints..
Marc Martin
@Natalie Pugh
Ah !!! so because your a majority I should be paying for you ? You have just proven a point how you feel towards all francophones ty.
*quantity versus quality...*
Quantity = Anglophone complaints Quality = Francophone complaints..
Marc Martin
@Natalie Pugh
Ah !!! so because your a majority I should be paying for you ? You have just proven a point how you feel towards all francophones ty.
David R. Amos
@Natalie Pugh "The language commissioner takes English complaints you didn't know"
Really? Can you give us one example of when an English complaint was filed and investigated appropriately?
Methinks you should read my lawsuit It was inspired by the invitations of the federal and provincial language commissioners and the actions of many others N'esy Pas?
Really? Can you give us one example of when an English complaint was filed and investigated appropriately?
Methinks you should read my lawsuit It was inspired by the invitations of the federal and provincial language commissioners and the actions of many others N'esy Pas?
David R. Amos
@Marc Martin "The way democracy works you vote for a representative and they make the decision you didn't know ?"
Methinks everybody knows democracy and justice are myths The politicians abide by the their golden rule "He With The Gold Makes The Rules" In this province Mr Higgs knows it is my old foes in the Irving Clan N'esy Pas?
Methinks everybody knows democracy and justice are myths The politicians abide by the their golden rule "He With The Gold Makes The Rules" In this province Mr Higgs knows it is my old foes in the Irving Clan N'esy Pas?
Roland Godin
Give those poor politicians a
break, we insist proudly, for generations, in electing the most likely
team who will mismanage public policies, administration, resources and
finances and in les deux langues officielles...eh!!/voilà.
Fred Brewer
@Roland Godin
Who is less likely to mismanage? Please tell us.
Who is less likely to mismanage? Please tell us.
Troy Murray
@Fred Brewer There is a difference between mismanagement and corruption
Roland Godin
@Fred Brewer
A voter who does not accept wheeling and dealings with politicians when hiding in a booth to scratch their prefered colour doodle, but of course I am off base, like usual, on that issue...et voilà.
A voter who does not accept wheeling and dealings with politicians when hiding in a booth to scratch their prefered colour doodle, but of course I am off base, like usual, on that issue...et voilà.
Fred Brewer
@Roland Godin
You continue to blame the voter and in some respects I agree. Voting red or blue solves nothing and it is time we vote for PA or Greens. Glad we agree on that Roland. Thank you.
You continue to blame the voter and in some respects I agree. Voting red or blue solves nothing and it is time we vote for PA or Greens. Glad we agree on that Roland. Thank you.
David R. Amos
@Troy Murray "There is a difference between mismanagement and corruption"
YUP A Very BIG One
YUP A Very BIG One
David R. Amos
@Fred Brewer "Who is less likely to mismanage? Please tell us."
Methinks it is Independent politicians with no political party or corporate affiliations who will only speak for the best interests of the folks who elected them in the first place N'esy Pas?
Methinks it is Independent politicians with no political party or corporate affiliations who will only speak for the best interests of the folks who elected them in the first place N'esy Pas?
Doug Leblanc
Everyone knows Gallant was
simply a puppet of Dominic. For Dominic to say that it’s the province’s
fault is irresponsible and stinks of petty politics. Anyone who does
not see that NB can not afford 120M is out if touch with reality. Grow
up Dominic. Your father would be ashamed.
David R. Amos
@Doug Leblanc "Everyone knows
Gallant was simply a puppet of Dominic. For Dominic to say that it’s
the province’s fault is irresponsible and stinks of petty politics."
I wholeheartedly agree
@Doug Leblanc "Grow up Dominic. Your father would be ashamed."
I wholeheartedly disagree Methinks that many folks would agree that the apple does not fall too far from the tree N'esy Pas?
I wholeheartedly agree
@Doug Leblanc "Grow up Dominic. Your father would be ashamed."
I wholeheartedly disagree Methinks that many folks would agree that the apple does not fall too far from the tree N'esy Pas?
Joseph Vacher
YESSSSSSS!!!!!!!!
This may be the first sign of common sense to come out of NB in a decade
This may be the first sign of common sense to come out of NB in a decade
David R. Amos
@Joseph Vacher Dream on
Methinks that even the liberals would agree that it is just Higgs
playing politics as usual as the PCs prepare for the pending rerun of
the last election N'esy Pas?
Matt Steele
The Francophonie games
appeared to be one big scam so that Brian Gallant , and his back room
Liberal buddies , could fill their pockets with taxpayer cash . The
games only last for around ten days , so that works out to be around 13
MILLION per day for some games that very few New Brunswicker's care
anything about . To bad the taxpayers already got scammed out of the 2
to 3 Million that Gallant's buddies have already squandered on these
boondoggle games , as that money could have went a long way in providing
morning breakfast programs for our school children .
David R. Amos
@Matt Steele Methinks you
should checkout how much money his old buddie the Irving Clan gets from
NB Power every year and ask Mr Higgs what gives with that N'esy Pas?
June Arnott
This is craziness. We have no money to even finish twining the busiest hwy in NB. Cut politicians wages and perks!!!
Tim Raworth
@June Arnott Busiest hwy in
NB? Who are you kidding . Gallant could not provide the data to prove
this was even needed. Just vote getting, that's all it was.
Troy Murray
@Tim Raworth And more jobs to his buddies at ten times the cost
David R. Amos
@Tim Raworth I concur
Alex Forbes
Good riddance. Sports should not be funded by the government anyway.
Colin Seeley
@Alex Forbes
And neither should CBC.
And neither should CBC.
David R. Amos
@Colin Seeley Mais Pourquoi???
Methinks you think I jest too much N'esy Pas?
Methinks you think I jest too much N'esy Pas?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-Cq612N7s0&t=11s
The Blaine Higgs Government cuts funding to La Francophonie in New Brunswick!!!
64 views
---------- Original message ----------
From: "Gallant, Brian (LEG)" <Brian.Gallant@gnb.ca>
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2019 18:20:22 +0000
Subject: RE: Your blogging buddy Chucky confessed once again why he
was barred from the legislature N'esy Pas Mr Higgs???
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Thank you for writing to the Leader of the Official Opposition of New
Brunswick. Please be assured that your e-mail will be reviewed.
If this is a media request, please forward your e-mail to
ashley.beaudin@gnb.ca
>. Thank you!
---
Nous vous remercions d’avoir communiqué avec le chef de l’opposition
officielle du Nouveau-Brunswick. Soyez assuré(e) que votre courriel
sera examiné.
Si ceci est une demande médiatique, prière de la transmettre à
ashley.beaudin@gnb.ca
---------- Original message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2019 14:19:54 -0400
Subject: Your blogging buddy Chucky confessed once again why he was
barred from the legislature N'esy Pas Mr Higgs???
To: blaine.higgs@gnb.ca, premier@gnb.ca, Dorothy.Shephard@gnb.ca,
Eric.Beaulieu@gnb.ca, haley.flaro@abilitynb.ca, robert.gauvin@gnb.ca,
Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca, Ernie.Steeves@gnb.ca, Sherry.Wilson@gnb.ca,
mary.wilson@gnb.ca, carl.urquhart@gnb.ca, Catherine.Tait@cbc.ca,
brian.gallant@gnb.ca, greg.byrne@gnb.ca, Jack.Keir@gnb.ca,
nick.brown@gnb.ca, steve.murphy@ctv.ca, Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca,
darrow.macintyre@cbc.ca, kris.austin@gnb.ca, michelle.conroy@gnb.ca,
rick.desaulniers@gnb.ca, David.Coon@gnb.ca, Kevin.A.Arseneau@gnb.ca,
megan.mitton@gnb.ca, sutherland.marie@
Benoit.Bourque@gnb.ca, denis.landry2@gnb.ca, oldmaison@yahoo.com,
andre@jafaust.com, COCMoncton@gmail.com, markandcaroline@gmail.com,
Mark.Blakely@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, Gilles.Blinn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca,
Gilles.Cote@gnb.ca, dan.bussieres@gnb.ca, Robert.Jones@cbc.ca,
nick.moore@bellmedia.ca, David.Akin@globalnews.ca
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hLLIIWUjNE&t=134s
Why did the Blogger NEVER seen any guns when he traveled across the United States in 1978?
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https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies
David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/oif-francophonie-games-new-brunswick-controversy-1.4951157
International group steers clear of Francophonie Games cost controversy
Comments
David Amos
"Premier Blaine Higgs said he
plans to set a deadline to make a call on whether to cancel the 2021
Francophonie Games. "Very near future we will be communicating the
cutoff date," said Higgs.
"Unless the federal government has a change in their attitude, it looks like the games will not proceed."
Surprise Surprise Surprise
"Unless the federal government has a change in their attitude, it looks like the games will not proceed."
Surprise Surprise Surprise
Shawn Tabor
There was not one word
mentioned about this leading up to the Election. They new about it.
There is something very very wrong here. No wonder we are in so much
dept.
David Amos
@Shawn Tabor Oh So True Sir
Province pulls funding to Francophonie Games committee
Final payment to group was made in December
The Higgs government has cut off funding to the organizing committee for the trouble-plagued Francophonie Games.
A spokesperson for the Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture confirmed that a final payment was made last month.
"In December 2018, the province made its last payment to the Comité national organisateur des Jeux de la Francophonie 2021," Stephanie Bilodeau said in an email statement.
"Given the uncertainty surrounding the future of the 2021 Francophonie Games in New Brunswick, no further payments to the organizing committee are currently scheduled from the provincial government."
But
a spokesperson for the committee, Tracey Suley, said it is "currently
operating" with "approved provincial funding for the entirety of the
2018-19 fiscal year."
"We are still here … and are awaiting the results of discussions between our funders," she said.
Radio-Canada reported on Dec. 6 that the organizing committee was seeking $130 million for the 2021 Games, to be held in Moncton and Dieppe.
That budget is more than seven times the $17-million cost estimate the province submitted in its bid.
Premier Blaine Higgs said in December that despite the ballooning cost, his Progressive Conservative government would not spend more than the original $10 million it had committed.
The original plan was for the cities of Moncton and Dieppe to contribute $750,000 each and the provincial and federal government would split the remainder of the cost.
Blaine Higgs has said the province will not contribute more than its initial offer of $10 million. (CBC)
Higgs said in December the federal government would have to ante up the rest for the Games to proceed.
He also said "in the very near future" he would set a "cutoff date" by which Ottawa would have to commit more money or the Games would not go ahead.
He made the comments in the wake of his government's first capital budget, which trimmed more than $200 million from infrastructure spending and cancelled several high-profile projects in an effort to eliminate the deficit.
On Wednesday, federal Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Ottawa remains "ready" to be a funding partner.
"Although we have not received a formal proposal from New Brunswick, we remain committed to working with the province to find a solution," LeBlanc said in a statement to Radio-Canada after meeting with New Brunswick Deputy Premier Robert Gauvin on Wednesday.
Following the revelation of the higher cost estimate, five provincial appointees on the board of the organizing committee, appointed by the previous Liberal government, resigned.
Former Liberal cabinet minister Roger Melanson said last month the Gallant government first learned of the bloated $130 million budget last April. They were told in October 2017 that the cost had reached $45 million.
The Liberals decided in early 2018 to establish what Melanson called "safeguards." He said that included changing its funding for the committee from annual to monthly payments.
The Francophonie Games are the largest sporting and cultural event in the French-speaking world. (AFP/Issouf Sanogo)
But
Bilodeau said the province has paid out its full $930,000 contribution
for the current 2018-19 fiscal year. The province gave the committee
$250,000 in 2017-18.
The committee's total budget for 2018-19 was $1.7 million and the province said about $2.65 million in costs had been incurred since 2015.
The initial $17-million budget was based on a template provided by the International Organization of La Francophonie. It did not include a business plan or any amounts for potential infrastructure projects.
A consultant's report for the federal government said the cost of the Games could be trimmed to $115 million, with a bare-bones version of the event possible for $72 million.
If New Brunswick cancels the Games, it could be on the hook for millions more dollars.
Article 24 of the statutes of the Games' governing body, the Comité international des Jeux de la Francophonie, says a host government that cancels the event must cover any expenses incurred by the international committee.
New Brunswick was selected in 2016 to host the ninth edition of the Games, which take place under the auspices of La Francophonie, an international organization of 58 governments with connections to the French language.
New Brunswick and Quebec have "participating government" status within the organization.
The Games, open to New Brunswickers and Canadians regardless of the language they speak, would see about 3,000 participants take part in sport and cultural events in Moncton and Dieppe.
A spokesperson for the Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture confirmed that a final payment was made last month.
"In December 2018, the province made its last payment to the Comité national organisateur des Jeux de la Francophonie 2021," Stephanie Bilodeau said in an email statement.
"Given the uncertainty surrounding the future of the 2021 Francophonie Games in New Brunswick, no further payments to the organizing committee are currently scheduled from the provincial government."
"We are still here … and are awaiting the results of discussions between our funders," she said.
Radio-Canada reported on Dec. 6 that the organizing committee was seeking $130 million for the 2021 Games, to be held in Moncton and Dieppe.
That budget is more than seven times the $17-million cost estimate the province submitted in its bid.
Split funding agreement
Premier Blaine Higgs said in December that despite the ballooning cost, his Progressive Conservative government would not spend more than the original $10 million it had committed.
The original plan was for the cities of Moncton and Dieppe to contribute $750,000 each and the provincial and federal government would split the remainder of the cost.
He also said "in the very near future" he would set a "cutoff date" by which Ottawa would have to commit more money or the Games would not go ahead.
He made the comments in the wake of his government's first capital budget, which trimmed more than $200 million from infrastructure spending and cancelled several high-profile projects in an effort to eliminate the deficit.
On Wednesday, federal Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Ottawa remains "ready" to be a funding partner.
"Although we have not received a formal proposal from New Brunswick, we remain committed to working with the province to find a solution," LeBlanc said in a statement to Radio-Canada after meeting with New Brunswick Deputy Premier Robert Gauvin on Wednesday.
Liberals learned of higher price tag in in 2017
Following the revelation of the higher cost estimate, five provincial appointees on the board of the organizing committee, appointed by the previous Liberal government, resigned.
Former Liberal cabinet minister Roger Melanson said last month the Gallant government first learned of the bloated $130 million budget last April. They were told in October 2017 that the cost had reached $45 million.
The Liberals decided in early 2018 to establish what Melanson called "safeguards." He said that included changing its funding for the committee from annual to monthly payments.
The committee's total budget for 2018-19 was $1.7 million and the province said about $2.65 million in costs had been incurred since 2015.
The initial $17-million budget was based on a template provided by the International Organization of La Francophonie. It did not include a business plan or any amounts for potential infrastructure projects.
A consultant's report for the federal government said the cost of the Games could be trimmed to $115 million, with a bare-bones version of the event possible for $72 million.
Cancellation fees
If New Brunswick cancels the Games, it could be on the hook for millions more dollars.
Article 24 of the statutes of the Games' governing body, the Comité international des Jeux de la Francophonie, says a host government that cancels the event must cover any expenses incurred by the international committee.
New Brunswick was selected in 2016 to host the ninth edition of the Games, which take place under the auspices of La Francophonie, an international organization of 58 governments with connections to the French language.
New Brunswick and Quebec have "participating government" status within the organization.
The Games, open to New Brunswickers and Canadians regardless of the language they speak, would see about 3,000 participants take part in sport and cultural events in Moncton and Dieppe.
About the Author
International group steers clear of Francophonie Games cost controversy
Finger has been pointed at International Organization of the Francophonie over low bidding requirements
After a week and a half of silence on
the controversy around the skyrocketing costs of the 2021 Francophonie
Games in Moncton-Dieppe, the international association overseeing the
games responded to the news media.
But the International Organization of the Francophonie, or OIF, steered away from the controversy, not answering questions about what would happen if the Moncton-Dieppe bid is withdrawn, or whether it was at all concerned about the holding of the 2021 event.
"We expect to receive a presentation of the updated budget from the committee, balanced in terms of expenditures and revenues, and including the distribution of funding."
The organization didn't respond to questions about New Brunswick's low initial bid either.
Government officials have said cost estimates submitted in the bid were essentially copied from the application guidebook.
A report by independent consultants pointed the finger, in part, at the original $17.5 million bid, which "significantly underestimated" the costs of running what was described as the largest event ever held in New Brunswick.
"The initial budget … seems to have been adjusted to satisfy the international organization, which wants a fixed and similar budget for every edition of the Francophonie Games. That desire is likely linked to the current perception related to excessive costs and overruns for big sporting events like the Olympics," it said.
The OIF referred all further questions to Éric Larocque, executive director of the New Brunswick organizing committee, and all attempts to reach the Paris spokesperson landed on voicemail.
Éric
Larocque, executive director of the 2021 Francophonie Games organizing
committee, said earlier that infrastructure requests cropped up after
the initial cost estimate was developed. (Shane Magee/CBC)
Larocque has been declining interviews since the committee's last public appearance more than a week ago now.
Asked again Tuesday whether CBC News could speak with Larocque in light of information that had come out since then, his spokesperson said the organizers were working on a "Q&A" to go up on their website "addressing current questions."
Larocque, who was also on the 2015 bid committee, said earlier that a budget wasn't developed as part of the bid "because it wasn't required."
"There were some volunteers, and there were some public servants," he has said about that decision.
"I'm not here to pinpoint or to blame somebody. It was a group decision, and that's it."
Meanwhile, Premier Blaine Higgs said he plans to set a deadline to make a call on whether to cancel the 2021 Francophonie Games.
"Very near future we will be communicating the cutoff date," said Higgs.
"Unless the federal government has a change in their attitude, it looks like the games will not proceed."
Blaine Higgs said he will set a deadline to make a call on whether to cancel the Games. (CBC)
But on Tuesday, federal Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc again said Ottawa will not up its contribution.
"We've been clear from the beginning that the government of Canada would pay 50 per cent of the cost if the province decides to go ahead with the proposal that they submitted," said LeBlanc.
But the International Organization of the Francophonie, or OIF, steered away from the controversy, not answering questions about what would happen if the Moncton-Dieppe bid is withdrawn, or whether it was at all concerned about the holding of the 2021 event.
- 2021 Francophonie Games could cost taxpayers 7 times more than expected
- If the Francophonie Games are cancelled, New Brunswick could still have to pay
"We expect to receive a presentation of the updated budget from the committee, balanced in terms of expenditures and revenues, and including the distribution of funding."
The organization didn't respond to questions about New Brunswick's low initial bid either.
Government officials have said cost estimates submitted in the bid were essentially copied from the application guidebook.
OIF tells reporters to talk to NB's committee
A report by independent consultants pointed the finger, in part, at the original $17.5 million bid, which "significantly underestimated" the costs of running what was described as the largest event ever held in New Brunswick.
"The initial budget … seems to have been adjusted to satisfy the international organization, which wants a fixed and similar budget for every edition of the Francophonie Games. That desire is likely linked to the current perception related to excessive costs and overruns for big sporting events like the Olympics," it said.
The OIF referred all further questions to Éric Larocque, executive director of the New Brunswick organizing committee, and all attempts to reach the Paris spokesperson landed on voicemail.
Asked again Tuesday whether CBC News could speak with Larocque in light of information that had come out since then, his spokesperson said the organizers were working on a "Q&A" to go up on their website "addressing current questions."
Larocque, who was also on the 2015 bid committee, said earlier that a budget wasn't developed as part of the bid "because it wasn't required."
"There were some volunteers, and there were some public servants," he has said about that decision.
"I'm not here to pinpoint or to blame somebody. It was a group decision, and that's it."
'Looks like the games won't proceed'
Meanwhile, Premier Blaine Higgs said he plans to set a deadline to make a call on whether to cancel the 2021 Francophonie Games.
"Very near future we will be communicating the cutoff date," said Higgs.
"Unless the federal government has a change in their attitude, it looks like the games will not proceed."
"We've been clear from the beginning that the government of Canada would pay 50 per cent of the cost if the province decides to go ahead with the proposal that they submitted," said LeBlanc.
About the Author
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