Convention centre funding decision 'imminent': Estabrooks

The federal government will decide soon if it will help pay for a new $159 million convention centre in Halifax, according to Bill Estabrooks, the Nova Scotia minister responsible for the file.

Estabrooks met with federal Infrastructure Minister Chuck Strahl in Ottawa on Tuesday.

"It was a good discussion and the decision will be imminent," Estabrooks told reporters Thursday in Halifax.

He said he asked for an answer before a federal election is called.

Estabrooks said he wanted to convey the importance of the project and remind the minister that time is running out on a mid-April deadline set by the developer, Rank Inc.

"In the middle of the rumours of elections and various other things ... I wanted to make it quite clear how important this issue is to us," said Estabrooks.He said the meeting was "productive" but he admitted that he didn't get a firm timeline on a federal decision.

Three-way split on bill

Under the project proposal, the cost of the convention centre would be paid for by the three levels of government.The province and the municipality have agreed to contribute $56 million each while Ottawa has been asked to contribute $47 million from the Building Canada Fund.

Estabrooks said a potential federal election call ahead of any funding announcement would "complicate the issue for sure."

The federal budget is scheduled to be tabled March 22. However, the Liberals could try to defeat the Conservative government the day before the budget using an opposition day motion or a vote on an unrelated money bill.