Notwithstanding this and other criticisms, a May 2008 article in "The Globe and Mail" newspaper described Doer as one of the few premiers to have a good working relationship with Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Manitoba signed on to the federal government's Building Canada Fund in late 2008, receiving about $500 million in new infrastructure monies. Following a global economic downturn in late 2008, Doer called on the federal government to invest in job creation and infrastructure funding. Prime Minister Harper later said that his government would spend more on roads, bridges and other public works.