Mr. Speaker, with regard to the completion date on the Gordie Howe International Bridge project being delayed until September 2025, with respect to part (a) no, the delay is not related to disputes with Valard Construction.
With respect to part (b), the additional money, approximately $685 million, is largely related to COVID-19 impacts project-wide and is not assigned to any one specific component of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project.
With respect to part (c), the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, WDBA, anticipates that the additional funding will be sufficient.
With respect to part (d), WDBA has funding within its existing reference levels to address certain retained risks.
With respect to part (e), WDBA cannot confirm whether there will be more contractors’ claims.