First Minister Designate of the Tantrama City Provisional Government, John McDonald MacKay Archibald, the Federal Liberal appointee, surprised many with his stinging rebuke of Tantrama City not being included as a stop in the "Free Money!" tour made by Prime Minister Paul Martin prior to the impending vote on his third minority government in two years which has lasted only one week. Archibald expressed outrage at the failure of the Liberals to carry through with promised funding for the Tidnish to Minas Canal. Martin stated yesterday that he supported alternative funding of 6.8 billion for a revival of the idea of the Chignecto Marine Transport Railway. In response at a marginally attended night-rally hastily called at the site of the half completed Tantrama City Stadium, Arena and Colliseum, Archibald scoffed and provided some history:

The Prime Minister would place the future of the SwingTide Project on a 115 year old folly. The 1875 idea of transporting ships by rail over the isthmus as opposed to the construction of a canal was nothing more than a boondoggle, the pipe dream of Henry G.C. Ketchum who may then have been was able to convince financial backers of the feasibility of his proposal - we won't be fooled again. Since 1892, even though the railway was three-fourths completed when lack of funds and government opposition ceased production, the entire system has fallen into disrepair and most of the infrastructure has been carted away for summer cottages and arena foundations. Without the extra 23 billion needed to properly complete the entire dig, the Boston markets for Pictou coal and PEI potatoes will collapse.

Map of Mega Project Zone
showing the Tidnish to Minal Canal planned route.