The Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure is responding to concerns about favouritism after it was revealed that paving allocations in his district increased by 300 per cent in one year.

That information was revealed through an access to information request by the PC Party. The allocation jumped from about $1.5-million to $4.8-million.

For Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Elvis Loveless, the reason behind the increase is simple: It was work that needed to be done, noting that several culverts had to be replaced.

On the accusations of favouritism, he says there has been lots of planning and discussions taking place since he took over the portfolio.

He believes the work done has been responsible and fair, noting that his district wasn’t the only one that saw increased funding.

Loveless points to two PC districts that saw increases. Funding in Exploits jumped from $2.8-million to $6.4-million, and in Terra Nova funding went from $5.6-million to $8.3-million.

He says there are fluctuations but that’s because they look at things on a needs basis.