The federal government is calling for an in-depth review of the role of the National Capital Commission.

In a speech Thursday afternoon, Lawrence Cannon, minister of transport, infrastructure and communities, asked some fundamental questions about the role of the 47-year-old agency, which manages federal government lands and buildings in the capital region.

"Is the NCC still pertinent? Is it still necessary?" he asked in French to the group of business men and women gathered at a luncheon in Gatineau.

The minister suggested the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau could become responsible for running some of the public activities currently handled by the NCC.

The idea of the region's cash-strapped cities funding festivals came as a shock to Gatineau Mayor Marc Bureau, who says his municipal government simply can't afford it.

"We need to have the money," he said. "If we don't, if we don't have the money … no."

Cannon also raised tough questions about whether the corporation was democratic enough. The NCC has long been criticized for refusing to open meetings to the public and for lack of transparency.

Later, Cannon insisted his speech was simply meant to raise questions about the role of the NCC, not to provide answers, which will come out of the "full and frank discussion" to follow. He declined to set a timeframe for the review. The NCC was last reviewed in 1988.

Cannon also called on the NCC to open the position of chairperson to all Canadians, instead of reserving it for regional candidates.

The Tory's accountability act has already changed the NCC by requiring the positions of chairman and CEO to be separate. For more than a decade, Marcel Beaudry has filled both roles.

After Beaudry retires, the roles will split so that the CEO will run day-to-day operations and the chairman will manage the board of directors.