With huge deficit and larger debt, what compels the Fed. Gov't. to even think of spending half a Billion $$$ to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday?

From the press, we knew that former PM Harper very much wanted to be the Prime Minister for this event. Alas, he lost the election. Now we have a new party in power, and a new Prime Minister. $500M is an awful lot of money! How will it be spent?

I hear of a planned cavalcade of motor-homes crossing the country. Surely no part of that $500M will be spent on this. Same for any possible statue of the current PM who is still in his first term and is not yet worthy of any bronze. And, if the PM travels the country to promote partisan politics, let the Liberal Party pay for that. 

Is it asking too much for the public's opinion to be considered on the expenditure of major money?