A Liberal MP says the province made a short-sighted decision to axe funding for the new New Brunswick Museum.
Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long said he has been “quietly worried” about losing provincial funding ever since the Progressive Conservative government was elected.
“But being surrounded by nine Conservative MLAs, I had a lot of hope that they’d lobby and pull this project through,” Long told our newsroom Tuesday afternoon.
What’s the rationale? Has the @pcnbca gov decided to abandon the NBM for good? Will we be the only province without a Provincial Museum? Extremely disappointed. We can’t afford not to do this project. It was going to be a massive catalyst for my riding. #nbpoli
— Wayne Long (@WayneLongSJ) December 11, 2018
Long said the project is more than just a museum — it is an investment in southern New Brunswick and Saint John which would spur development along the waterfront.
“We’ve just kissed goodbye to a $100-million [project] for Saint John and it’s a dark day for the city,” Long said.
The project would provide upwards of $300 million to $400 million in economic stimulus for Saint John, he said.
Long said the federal government had committed $25 million for the project, but the province will no longer be able to access it.
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Story by Brad Perry
Twitter: @BradMPerry
Email: perry.brad@radioabl.ca
(File photo/Acadia News)
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