The mayor of Saskatoon is concerned a procedural wrangle between Ottawa and the provinces while a federal election is looming could delay the start of two big infrastructure projects in the city. Charlie Clark says the work approved for the Gordie Howe Bowl and Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan site are worthy and supported in the community but the federal government hasn’t signed off on a proposed transfer of funds that would make more money available around Saskatchewan.

The idea is to move some of Saskatoon’s and Regina’s surplus transit funding into the community culture and recreation category – or CCR stream – allowing more money for other projects around Saskatchewan. Clark says he has contacted the federal and provincial cabinet ministers involved and will continue to express the city’s support for the move and lobby for infrastructure project in Saskatoon. The mayor doesn’t want the issue to evolve into a Regina and Saskatoon vs the rest of the province scenario favouring the transfer noting they are dealing with a small 10-year-pool of $56-million for the entire province.

Ottawa says it has approved funding for 13 of the province’s 25 requested projects. Deputy Premier Gord Wyant says the province is trying to clarify which 13 have been approved. Ottawa did not approve the transfer of the transit funds to the CCR stream.