New figures show that in just one August week, the Trudeau government made 595 spending announcements and committed a total of $4.9 billion in new spending ahead of the upcoming election.
According to Global News Chief Political Correspondent, David Akin, a majority of these announcements the week of Aug. 12 were in New Brunswick, which saw a total of 334 new funding initiatives.
Prior research by True North on public spending announcements found that from June 21 to July 12, the Liberals spent over $4.63 billion, a majority of which went to Quebec.
Spending ahead of the election is being diverted towards ridings and provinces in which the incumbent Liberals are set to face intense competition. For example, 338canada predicts that nearly half of the seats in New Brunswick will turn blue after the election.
The total spending promised for New Brunswick was to the sum of $133.4 million.
Prince Edward Island also received some commitments in contested ridings like Egmont, which is currently held by Liberal MP Bobby Morrissey. For that week, 27 different municipalities or initiatives received a combined $5 million from the federal government.
In total PEI received $28.2 million from government coffers.
Nationally, the largest single spending commitment announced for that week was $3.6 billion to be spent on armoured vehicles for the Canadian Armed Forces, to be built in London, Ont. Another military contract to the tune of $500 million was awarded to Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax.
Nearly one-fifth, or $829 million, of the total federal spending, was targeted specifically towards incumbent Liberal ridings. Another $18.2 million was delivered to ridings with Conservative MPs, while $56 million was promised to ridings held by NDP MPs.
Spending commitments by the Liberals continued well after this period into the month of August, including a $1.3 million investment promised to the Waterloo, Ont. riding of Liberal house leader Bardish Chagger.
