The federal government says some of the millions of dollars being spent on infrastructure projects in Industry Minister Tony Clement's Ontario riding are a "thank you" to local residents who will be inconvenienced during the G8 summit later this month.

Transport Minister John Baird, whose ministry is responsible for the government's infrastructure budget, said the money being spent in Clement's riding -- from a so-called G8 Legacy Fund -- is going to three initiatives: the necessary infrastructure to support the summit, beautification of the region, and to support a small number of local projects.

"A limited number of projects (are) designed in the legacy to say, ‘Listen, the folks in this region are going to endure a heck of a lot of security, a heck of a lot of challenges during that G8 summit, and just as a thank you we're supporting some public infrastructure projects...'"

The Liberal Party charged earlier Monday that much of the $50-million G8 fund is going toward vanity projects that have nothing to do with the summit.

The Grits gave a photo presentation Wednesday showing 10 G8 Legacy funded projects, all more than 30 kilometres away from the summit site, and in various stages of construction.

"These photos paint a disturbing picture," Liberal Public Safety Critic Mark Holland said in a news release. "What we see is a myriad of projects that are nowhere near the G8 site and/or are nowhere near being completed in time for next week's meeting.

"It's more proof of this government's utter disregard for Canadians' hard-earned cash."

The $50-million G8 Legacy Infrastructure Fund was created in February 2009 and according to the government is dedicated to projects "that will create a lasting legacy for the Parry Sound–Muskoka area."

In a 2009 press release, the government said it had closed applications for the G8 fund to allow sufficient time to complete construction projects before the Summit.

Photos from the Liberals show that many of the projects are not close to being completed before next week's summit.

The G8 fund has paid for a number of projects including a $200,000 "Welcome Granite Stone" in Parry Sound and a $400,000 steamboat refurbishment.

In question period in the House of Commons Wednesday, Holland called the projects a "tour de pork" and accused the Industry Minister of sprucing up his riding in a bid to get re-elected.

Clement defended the spending outside the House, saying the G8 fund was "another economic stimulus envelope," some of which was to go to summit-related projects and some of it was "legacy funding for tourism projects or for beautification for tourism and the rest."

"So no, I don't have to explain that. That's all put in previous documents, it was passed in previous budgets, which the Liberals allowed to be passed," Clement said.

"So they're going to have to explain the fact that they're twisting the facts and twisting the truth for their own political aim because they don't want to talk about the real issues."

Baird defended the money headed to areas far from Huntsville, where the G8 summit is taking place at the Deerhurst Resort. Baird said the hundreds of staff and security personnel travelling with each world leader will be staying at sites outside of Huntsville, "so we want to give a good face to Canada."