Prime Minister Mark Carney's defense of the Gordie Howe bridge deal has raised suspicions that he may be "dancing around the truth." His statements to the media in Canada contradict reports from reputable sources, leaving many wondering why the Prime Minister feels the need to obscure the realities of the deal.
The original bridge agreement, signed in 2012, called for Canada to keep all toll revenues until the cost of building the bridge was paid off. However, following complaints from President Trump, a new deal was struck in February, and the public has largely been kept in the dark. The Americans describe it as a great new deal for them, while Canadian officials have downplayed its significance.
According to a statement from President Trump, the new deal allows Canada to keep the revenues and pay the costs of the bridge, with any remaining amount split for 15 years. However, Prime Minister Carney's explanation has shifted over the past week, and it is unclear what exactly the terms of the deal entail.
Independent reporting has shed light on the discrepancy in Carney's claims. Bloomberg reviewed the one-page agreement and found that there was no mention of debt repayment. Instead, the deal specifies a 15-year side pact to share the equivalent of net profits, after operational costs but not interest.
Canadian officials, including Prime Minister Carney, have been accused of being coy with their language in describing the deal. The real terms of the agreement remain unclear, and Canadians are demanding that the Prime Minister release details of the Gordie Howe bridge deal.
The Canadians deserve to know the full truth from Carney, rather than being presented with "obfuscating word salads." A request for clarification was made to the Prime Minister's office, but they did not respond.
