Opposition concerned over tech centre

CHARLOTTETOWN — The Opposition is questioning the Binns government's $24 million investment in the Atlantic Technology Center. Liberal Richard Brown said the money went into a "monument," not creating jobs for information technology workers.

The auditor general has been critical of the investment, and the planning process. The reports also said it will lose money for the foreseeable future.

Brown said Tuesday the government's business plan called for the facility to make $1 million in revenue during its first year.

"It's disappointing to see he doesn't support technology and creating jobs in downtown Charlottetown," technology minister Mike Currie said. "This building spurred the development for more parking at downtown Charlottetown."

Brown said the Binns Tories should have spent the money creating jobs, instead of a building.

"He went out and built a pyramid, they wanted a big show, a big monument, they're not investing in people ? they're investing in a monument."

"It's a development tool, it's a commitment to the future. And we knew it wasn't going to be full right away , that it would take time to get up to full capacity but we wanted to bring the right companies in and we're doing that," said Currie.

Currie admits the building is losing money, but said over 300 people work in the technology centre.