OTTAWA, Ont. — Transport Minister John Baird has announced that $7 billion will be spent on infrastructure, over the next two years, according to a story by the Toronto Star.  

Baird, whose responsibilities include federal infrastructure, told reporters the emphasis will be on projects that can be started this year and finished by 2010. “These new investments, coupled with our efforts to cut red tape and accelerate investments we’ve already promised, will help provide hope and opportunity for Canadian families worried about their future and finances,” he said at a press conference.

The details of Baird announcement included: $4 billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to help provincial, territorial and municipal governments push ahead with projects like roads, bridges and water and sewage treatment plants; $2 billion to accelerate repairs and construction at colleges and universities; and a $1 billion so-called green infrastructure fund.

Liberal critic MP Gerard Kennedy urged Canadians to be skeptical about the infrastructure money given the government’s poor track record on providing the actual funds for projects already announced. “Can Mr. Harper be believed when he says he gets it?”

Critics also say they fear when the Conservatives talk about streamlining projects, that environmental protection will suffer.