High Speed Train Coming?-split from boosting Canada’s military spending"

[Altair]

By this logic, Havelock, Marmora and Smiths Falls just need private investment right? Why don't you ask Porter to do it?

To answer your question, corporations do not fund large infrastructure projects.

Even as we are seeing with the MOU in Alberta, even when given free rein, corporate interests are hesitant to put their money forward. They much prefer government pay for the infrastructure that they plan to benefit from.

So all this talk of the private sector building the rail is poppycock. Balderdash. Twaddle and malarkey.

The taxpayer has always been the one funding large infrastructure projects. Even the new Gordie Howe bridge that will hopefully open one day is owned by the feds.

This thing will be built, hopefully, and then run just fine for what it's being designed to do. Then like every other infrastructure project outside of Mirabel airport, we will move on with our lives and reap the benefits. At least until the next big infrastructure project, where we do this song and dance all over again.

 

[Brad Sallows]

The point I believe is these airports don't build themselves with the power of capitalism.

Governments build these airports.

Same for HSR. Naturally the taxpayer is paying for HSR. The taxpayer pays for roads, ports, airports, ferries, bridges, why in the world wouldnt we be paying for rail?

Any private person or commercial enterprise can take a vehicle on roads, ferries, bridges, or a boat into a port, or an aircraft into an airport. I doubt there will be any provisions for private persons to take their own powered vehicles onto HSR lines, or even for business competitors to have equal access with their own rolling stock.

"Business travellers need more subsidized comfort" isn't really a strong selling point.

YVR's airport authority made a decision a few years back to borrow to fund a parkade, which apparently might not even be built to completion now. It's an excellent example of why such ventures should be fully self-funded: privatization of profits AND losses.

 

[Brad Sallows]

To answer your question, corporations do not fund large infrastructure projects.

What's the dollar value threshold for "large"?

 

[ytz]

"Business travellers need more subsidized comfort" isn't really a strong selling point.

Good thing that's not the selling point.

 

[Brad Sallows]

Good thing that's not the selling point.

It kind of is.

"Given that business travellers are the highest margin, they are what pay for development. That's the market Alto is rightfully aiming at. I'm sure you're well aware of how with airlines the 10% of passengers at the front usually generate over 50% of revenues."

Sounds like they can afford it. Sounds like they can support it. I'm all for business travellers paying for the capital and operating costs and subsidizing the rest of the economy herd.

 

[ytz]

It kind of is.

No it isn't.

What does comfort have to do with anything?

Here's a hint. Why do governments build airports, roads and subways?

 

[Bruce Monkhouse]

Why do governments build airports, roads and subways?

Because big political donations gotta' be paid back somehow??

 

[childs56]

To answer your question, corporations do not fund large infrastructure projects.

Depends on what one considers large.
LNG Canada Kitimat project was funded to the tune of $40billion of private/ investor funds. The Government funded $275million for (energy efficient) turbines and replacing a bridge.
Transmountain Pipeline was a Non Government company that walked away when uncertainty from all levels of Government caused them to pack up and leave. Only to be approved and the provincial and federal government swooped in and paid 6 times more to complete the project.

Even as we are seeing with the MOU in Alberta, even when given free rein, corporate interests are hesitant to put their money forward. They much prefer government pay for the infrastructure that they plan to benefit from.

Why would any company spend money on the preliminary process which costs hundred of millions of dollars. When the very approvers are anti western industry.
I do not know of any large company who wants the government to build any pipeline, refinery/ upgrader or mod yard. In doing so they tend to drive up the costs where they are not feasible to build.

So all this talk of the private sector building the rail is poppycock. Balderdash. Twaddle and malarkey.

If the government was actually serious about supporting the Port of Churchill then I have no doubt there would be private investors. With the way business with government is conducted with all the rules, regulations and multiple approvals required, then changing of conditions at the final stages. I doubt any company is going to spend a cent building infrastructure they have no control over and or actually will be able to use. (unless a Quebec company is in charge). Cement plants and LNG plants with limited and or no environmental approval.

The taxpayer has always been the one funding large infrastructure projects. Even the new Gordie Howe bridge that will hopefully open one day is owned by the feds.

One has to separate what is public infrastructure and what is private infrastructure. Of the latter what is critical and non critical.

This thing will be built, hopefully, and then run just fine for what it's being designed to do. Then like every other infrastructure project outside of Mirabel airport, we will move on with our lives and reap the benefits. At least until the next big infrastructure project, where we do this song and dance all over again.

 

[ytz]

LNG Canada Kitimat project was funded to the tune of $40billion of private/ investor funds.

Where does LNG Canada get the gobs of electricity it needs and what was done to provide that?

 

[ytz]

Because big political donations gotta' be paid back somehow??

Didn't realize that Pearson airport and the 401 were built to payback political donations. It was well before my time. Can you explain who was being paid back?

 

[Bruce Monkhouse]

Sometimes the problem with wanting to be the smartest person in the room is the obvious subtleties of sarcasm leave a mark as they get really close to the scalp when they fly over.

EDIT: though a sarcasm emogi on the site wouldn't hurt