McKenna's Infrastructure Canada pays for tennis courts, Wi-Fi in Lower Mainland

Auditors have discovered that Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna's ministry approved of subsidies for "public works" such as tennis courts, Wi-Fi, and Indigenous art exhibits, according to Blacklock's Reporter.

The report found that Infrastructure Canada spent $1.2 billion on public works in the Vancouver area alone between 2009 and 2019. While most of that money went towards genuine public works projects, millions of dollars were spent on miscellaneous projects, including an "Indigenous hall where exhibits are fully designed by the three First Nations," bike lanes, and free public internet services in Burnaby's municipal buildings.

"Municipalities have infrastructure needs that exceed their ability to be funded solely through property taxes and other sources of revenue," reads the report. "Municipalities’ needs cover a wide range of infrastructure"

"We always welcome public and parliamentary oversight of our historic infrastructure program," McKenna boasted. "Investments in clean infrastructure, public transit and building resilient communities are investments in our culture."

The report noted that "[the] department has contributed to improving social inclusion in the Vancouver area by funding infrastructure in community, cultural and recreational facilities," but that most projects being evaluated "did not require any reporting on outcomes beyond the confirmation that projects were completed as approved."

"Availability of project level performance or results information was an issue," the report admitted. "The department did not document the achievement of results beyond those that were immediate."