Dear Editor,
The argument that the 6th Street Bridge project is an example of excess spending ignores the broader issue at hand: Canada’s chronic hesitation to invest in infrastructure. The letter to the editor paints a picture of wastefulness, but in reality, this project represents a necessary step toward improving transportation and connectivity in Courtenay.
Canada has a history of under-funding critical sectors, and this is perhaps most evident in its military. For years, procurement has suffered from inadequate investment, leading to outdated equipment and a diminished capability to meet national defense needs. The country’s reluctance to properly fund essential projects — whether in defense or infrastructure — has led to stalled progress and missed opportunities. The 6th Street Bridge is yet another example of this theme that Canadians hesitate to commit to meaningful public investments, despite clear benefits.
The narrative that funding for this project is solely coming from local taxpayer funds is misleading. The Government of Canada’s Active Transportation Fund is contributing $2.5 million, while the Provincial Government’s Growing Communities Fund is adding another $1 million. With $3.6 million in government grants already secured, abandoning the project now would mean wasting not only the money already spent on planning and consultations but also the opportunity to improve Courtenay’s infrastructure. Indeed, massive "sunk costs".
The alternative to walking away from this project? Continued congestion on 5th Street, a problem that has long plagued the city. Walking away from the 6th Street Bridge project would not only be a failure to address this issue but also a signal that Canada remains unwilling to invest in its own future. If we want to break free from the cycle of hesitation and stagnation, we must recognize that infrastructure projects like this are necessary investments in our communities.
Thanks,
Cindy Steward
Courtenay
