Gordie Howe bridge revenue-sharing agreement appears to contradict Carney
The federal government's agreement regarding the Gordie Howe International Bridge appears to conflict with Prime Minister Mark Carney's previous statements on revenue sharing. While Carney suggested Canada would recoup its $6.4 billion debt before sharing tolls, the agreement text indicates a 50% split of net revenues for 15 years without explicit debt-repayment priority.
Why it matters
This discrepancy raises questions about government transparency and the financial recovery timeline for a major taxpayer-funded infrastructure project.
The federal government released the text of what it’s calling an agreement in principle with the United States for the Gordie Howe International Bridge , which outlines how revenues could be collected — and shared — for the bridge that was entirely financed by Canadian taxpayers.
Portions of it appear to contradict what Prime Minister Mark Carney has said about how money will be split and how much the U.S. will get before Canadians are repaid for the debt of the bridge.
Carney said last week that Canada will not share any tolls collected from the bridge until Canada’s $6.4-billion debt from building it is repaid, but he also said that “net revenues” will be split over 15 years.
“Splitting of tolls, any sharing of the toll, won’t happen until all of the debt is repaid,” Carney told reporters on July 16.
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