Ottawa ‘showering’ eastern provinces with cash, B.C. not getting ‘fair share,’ Eby says

Premier David Eby is expanding his criticism of what he says is an unfair share of federal funding being given to Western Canada.

Eby says Ottawa’s “special treatment for Quebec and Ontario” eventually gets “to be too much” and it’s “disingenuous” for federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller to suggest that B.C.’s concerns are simply about asylum seekers.

Eby and Miller have traded comments this week since the premier suggested at the Western Premiers’ Conference on Monday that Ottawa was “showering” Ontario and Quebec with money, after offering Quebec a $750 million deal to help with immigration concerns.

Miller responded that British Columbia needs to step up and take in more asylum seekers who come to Canada.

Political-watchers say the premier’s tough talk is likely linked to the upcoming provincial election and a desire to be seen as separate from the unpopular federal Liberals.

Eby said in a statement Wednesday that it was “disingenuous to say this is about asylum seekers.”

“Ottawa is spending billions to build car factories in Ontario and Quebec, but has so far refused to put in their fair share to replace the Massey Crossing,” Eby said.

The province is in the process of replacing the George Massey Tunnel under the Fraser River between Richmond and Delta by 2030, with an estimated price tag of $4.15 billion. Provincial officials have said they hope Ottawa will contribute to the bill, but no specific figure has been set.

“I think people in the west are used to the special treatment for Quebec and Ontario, but eventually it gets to be too much,” Eby’s statement said.

Honda announced last month that it would build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its assembly plant in Alliston, Ont., as part of a $15-billion project