Mr. BENNETT:
For $300,000.
Mr. CARDIN:
I believe it is $400,000. As contemplated a number of years ago the building of that dam would permit the dredging of the river from St. Johns to the boundary, and would relieve the situation that existed so far as flooding the land was concerned. The representation made to previous governments was that the high water of the spring would not flow rapidly enough and soon enough to allow every year the cultivation of the low land between the town of St. Johns and the boundary.
The hon. member says he has not seen any low land there. It is there, however. In fact, the Richelieu river from St. Johns to the boundary to a certain extent becomes a lake. The shores of the river are so low that one would form the idea that he was passing through a lake.
Mr. MacNICOL:
It is the arm of a lake.
Mr. CARDIN:
In the spring when the water flows slowly on account of the natural obstacles between St. Johns and the boundary these lands are flooded for too long a time to permit satisfactory cultivation of them. That was the reason given a number of years ago. It was urged that if dredging were done the water would flow more rapidly and the land would be ready for cultivation sooner than otherwise. We had an estimate from an engineer that each year the farmers would be saved a loss of several hundred thousand dollars if they could cultivate the low land between St. Johns and the boundary. This regulating dam therefore has for its object the cultivation of the lands by permitting a flow of water earlier in the spring and over a shorter period. When built, and when the natural obstacles between St. Johns and the boundary are disposed of, the dam would permit much freer navigation between St. Johns and lake Champlain.
Mr. BENNETT:
twelve feet.
Mr. CARDIN:
Yes, twelve feet at least. The building of the dam about half way between St. Johns and Chambly, where the present canal exists, would reduce the length of the Chambly canal.
Mr. BENNETT:
And help both countries.
Mr. CARDIN:
It would reduce the length by about half. Instead of boats navigating twelve miles they would have to navigate only about six miles.
Mr. MacNICOL:
It is the intention to give a twelve foot canal from Fryer's island to Chambly?
Mr. CARDIN:
No, not at present. We would be satisfied for the time being to have the regulating dam to reclaim the land that has ito be reclaimed to give St. Johns a twelve foot navigation channel to the United States and lake Champlain, and to reduce by half the present distance of navigation through the Chambly canal. These are the three reasons in my mind which would justify the present expenditures.
Tenders have been asked on the vote of last year, and the contract has been awarded to the Cape Construction Company of Montreal for the amount of $416,000.
Mr. MacNICOL:
For the dam alone?
Mr. CARDIN:
Yes. My information is that the land which will be flooded in the vicinity of the dam amounts to only a very small portion of the land around the dam.
Mr. MacNICOL:
Has the minister any idea of the value of that land?
Mr. CARDIN:
The total value of the land being expropriated would be in the vicinity of $60,000 or $70,000.
Mr. BENNETT:
The explanation the minister has given is much better than the one he gave last year. I doubt whether there could be a better exemplification of the principle the minister mentioned yesterday than the one he has just given us. He said yesterday he usually made these appropriations at the request of the member for the constituency. How did he address himself in this case?
Mr. CARDIN:
The work is not in my
constituency.
Mr. BENNETT:
What about the expenditure at Sorel? Perhaps that is nearer home.
Mr. CARDIN:
Yes, that is very near home. In connection with that item I would express very sincere regret that the amount is not larger. This is an expenditure of $200,000 to provide for harbour improvements.
Supply-Harbours and Rivers
Mr. BENNETT:
It will not make it a second Montreal, but will make it a competing port.
Mr. CARDIN:
Yes, in the course of a few years.