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Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
43^rd Parliament, 1^st session

Chair:

Vance Badawey (Liberal)

First Vice-Chair:

Todd Doherty (Conservative)

Second Vice-Chair:

Xavier Barsalou-Duval (Bloc Quebecois)

Other members:

Taylor Bachrach (NDP)

Tony Baldinelli (Conservative)

Luc Berthold (Conservative)

Chris Bittle (Liberal)

Scot Davidson (Conservative)

Fayçal El-Khoury (Liberal)

Helena Jaczek (Liberal)

Churence Rogers (Liberal)

Maninder Sidhu (Liberal)

Committee appearance

Tuesday, June 16, 2020 (12:00 pm to 1:00 pm) (1 hour)

Opening Statements

5 minutes

1st Round of Questions:

6 minutes for each party in this order: CPC, Lib, BQ, NDP

2nd Round of Questions and subsequent rounds:

CPC (5 minutes);

Lib (5 minutes);

CPC (5 minutes);

Lib (5 minutes);

BQ (2.5 minutes); and

NDP (2.5 minutes)

Chair

Vance Badawey
Liberal

Constituency:

Niagara Centre, Ontario

Election to house of commons

• First elected in 2015. Re-elected in 2019.

Professional background

• Family business owner
• Mayor for the City of Port Colborne (1997 – 2003, 2006 – 2014)
• City councillor for the City of Port Colborne (1994 – 1997)

Other committee roles (past and present)

• Member, Standing Committee on Transport Infrastructure and Communities (2016 – 2019).
• Vice-Chair, Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations (2017 – 2019)

Points of interest to INFC/RED

• In January 2020, voted against the Conservative Opposition Motion calling for an audit of the government's "Investing in Canada Plan".
• Held information sessions in his riding regarding the Smart Cities Challenge.

Vice-Chair

Todd Doherty
Conservative

Constituency:

Cariboo-Prince George, British Columbia

Election to house of commons

• First elected in 2015. Re-elected in 2019.

Professional background

• Small business owner
• Aviation executive
• Worked with industry, provincial and federal governments in global promotion of national trade, tourism and aviation opportunities.

Political and parliamentary roles

• Conservative Party Critic for Transport
• Previously opposition critic for Fisheries and Oceans (42nd Parliament)

Other committee roles (past and present)

• Member, Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans (2017 – 2019)
• Member, Standing Committee on Library of Parliament (2016 – 2017)

Points of interest to INFC/RED

• In January 2020 voted in support of the Conservative Opposition Motion calling for an audit of the government's "Investing in Canada Plan".

Second Vice-Chair

Xavier Barsalou-Duval
Bloc Québécois

Constituency:

Pierre—Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères

Election to the House of Commons

• First elected in 2015. Re-elected in 2019

Professional background

• President, Bloc Québécois Youth Forum (2011-2015)
• College instructor in accounting and worked for several years as an auditor.

Political and parliamentary roles

• BQ critic for Infrastructure and Communities

Points of interest to INFC/RED

• In January 2020, voted in support of the Conservative Opposition Motion calling for an audit of the government's "Investing in Canada Plan".
• During the debate expressed concern that few at the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) speak French and that few in the Infrastructure Minister's office speak French.

Member

Taylor Bachrach
New Democratic Party

Constituency:

Skeena-Bulkley Valley

Election to the House of Commons

• First elected in 2019

Professional background

• Mayor of Smithers, BC (2011- 2019)
• Municipal councillor, Telkwa, BC (2008-2011)
• Small business owner; Bachrach Communications
• Previously, Chair of the BC Municipal Climate Leadership Council
• Previously member of BC government's Climate Solutions and Clean Growth Advisory Council and Northern Development Initiative Trust.

Political and parliamentary roles

• NDP critic for Infrastructure and Communities

Points of interest to INFC/RED

• In January 2020, voted in support of the Conservative Opposition Motion calling for an audit of the government's "Investing in Canada Plan".

Member

Tony Baldinelli
Conservative

Constituency:

Niagara Falls

Election to house of commons

• First elected in 2019

Professional background

• Senior manager of communications and stakeholder relations  for the Niagara Parks Commission
• Public relations, public affairs, at Hill and Knowlton Strategies
• Political staffer (federal and provincial)

Political and parliamentary roles

• Deputy Conservative critic for Transport

Points of interest to INFC/RED

• In January 2020, voted in support of the Conservative Opposition Motion calling for an audit of the government's "Investing in Canada Plan".

Member

Luc Berthold
Conservative

Constituency:

Mégantic-L'Érable

Election to the House of Commons

• Elected in 2015, re-elected in 2019.

Professional background

• Mayor of Thetford Mines (2006-2013)
• Journalist and radio host for CKLD radio
• Chief Editor of the Courrier Frontenac
• Political staffer for the provincial government, including Chief of Staff to the Minister of Transport, and political assistant to the Minister of Regional Development and Tourism.
• Director of Communications for the Quebec Liberal Party
• Self-employed as a speaker, coach, trainer and provides leadership training sessions

Political and parliamentary roles

• Conservative critic for Infrastructure and Communities

Other committee roles (past and present)

• Vice-Chair & Member, Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food (2017-19)
• Vice-Chair & Member, Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (2016-17)

Points of interest to INFC/RED

• In January 2020, led the opposition day motion calling for an audit of the government's $180 billion infrastructure plan.
• In the latest parliamentary sitting raised multiple questions on various infrastructure related issues, including the Auditor General's audit, information provided to the PBO, and the Canada Infrastructure Bank. Has also asked many questions on similar subjects during the COVI committee hearings and at virtual committee hearings during the adjournment of the House. 

Member

Chris Bittle
Liberal

Constituency:

St. Catharines

Election to the House of Commons

• Elected in 2015. Re-elected in 2019

Professional background

• Lawyer (civil litigator); Brooks and Welch LLP
• Seminar leader at Brock University
• Instructor, Continuing Education, Niagara College
• Volunteered at the Quest Community Health Centre and with the Courts in the Classroom program

Political and parliamentary roles

• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport
• Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons (2017-2019)

Other committee roles (past and present)

• Member, Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (2016-17)
• Member, Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (2017-19)

Points of interest to INFC/RED

• In January 2020, voted against the Conservative Opposition Motion calling for an audit of the government’s "Investing in Canada Plan".

Member

Scot Davidson
Conservative

Constituency:

York–Simcoe

Election to the House of Commons

• Elected in February 2019 (by-election), re-elected November 2019.

Professional background

• Restaurateur, small business owner
• Served on the boards of: The Georgina Medical Health Board, Georgina Waterways Advisory Committee, Lake Simcoe Fisheries Stakeholder Committee, and the Jackson’s Point Business Improvement Area.

Points of interest to INFC/RED

• Supported the opposition day motion in January 2020 for an audit of the government's $180 billion infrastructure plan.
• In February 2020, introduced Bill C-204, an Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (final disposal of plastic waste)

Member

Fayçal El-Khoury
Liberal

Constituency:

Laval—Les Îles

Election to the House of Commons

• Elected in 2015, re-elected in 2019

Professional background

• Engineer
• Business owner (residential construction)
• Business relations consultant (2005-2015)

Points of interest to INFC/RED

• In January 2020, voted against the Conservative Opposition Motion calling for an audit of the government’s "Investing in Canada Plan".

Member

Helena Jaczek
Liberal

Constituency:

Markham—Stouffville

Election to the House of Commons

• First elected in 2019

Professional background

• Minister of Community and Social Services (2014-2018) in the Ontario legislature
• Member of Provincial Parliament (Ontario) from 2007 to 2018
• Minister of Health and Long-Term Care (2018)
• Former public servant (Privy Council Office)
• General practitioner at the Women's College Hospital in Toronto
• Chief Medical officer of health in the York region (18 years)

Other committee roles (past and present)

• Member, Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology (current)

Points of interest to INFC/RED

• In January 2020, voted against the Conservative Opposition Motion calling for an audit of the government’s "Investing in Canada Plan".

Other

• Riding previously held by former minister, Jane Philpott.

Member

Churence Rogers
Liberal

Constituency:

Bonavista—Burin—Trinity

Election to the House of Commons

• Elected in 2017 (By-election), re-elected in 2019

Professional background

• Mayor of Centreville-Wareham-Trinity (2009 – 2017)
• Mayor of Harbour Breton (1997-2003)
• President of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (2011 – 2015)
• Member of the national Board of Directors for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities; and Chair of the Atlantic Caucus

Other committee roles (past and present)

• Member, Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (2018-19)
• Member, Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (2019-20)
• Member, Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans (2018-19)
• Member, Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development (2018)
• Member, Standing Committee on Scrutiny and Regulations (2018)

Points of interest to INFC/RED

• In January 2020, voted against the Conservative Opposition Motion calling for an audit of the government's "Investing in Canada Plan".
• Advocate for Canada's rural and coastal communities

Member

Maninder Sidhu
Liberal

Constituency:

Brampton East

Election to the House of Commons

• Elected in 2019

Professional background

• Business owner of a customs brokerage business
• Founder of the Kindness Movement Charity, which assists underprivileged school children in India and in Canada.

Other committee roles (past and present)

• Member, Standing Committee Natural Resources (current)

Points of interest to INFC/RED

• In January 2020, voted against the Conservative Opposition Motion calling for an audit of the government’s "Investing in Canada Plan".

COVI committee Questions

Specific Questions to Minister McKenna

June 9, 2020

Mr. Luc Berthold (Mégantic—L'Érable, CPC): Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. For more than a week, my colleagues and my leader have been trying by every means possible to ask the government to be transparent when it comes to infrastructure. However, history shows that when a Liberal touches infrastructure, it always ends badly. I'm going to give the minister a chance to start from the beginning. How many projects have been authorized by her government since the launch of the Investing in Canada plan, how many have been completed and how much federal money has been invested in them?

Hon. Catherine McKenna (Minister of Infrastructure and Communities):Mr. Chair, as I have said before in the House, we are investing in infrastructure all across the country. It is very important that we move forward. We have an infrastructure plan that focuses on green infrastructure and public transit for recreation centres and rural communities I would like to talk about the previous government—

Mr. Luc Berthold: Mr. Chair, once again, the minister is unable to give us any numbers. The government contends that 50,000 projects have been completed in Canada. The Parliamentary Budget Officer talks about 30,000 projects. We are short 20,000. The minister cannot even tell us how many projects have been carried out in Canada under the Investing in Canada plan. How many are there, Madam Minister?

Hon. Catherine McKenna: Mr. Chair, as I have said before in the House, we have already presented to the Parliamentary Budget Officer the 33,000 projects in which we have invested directly. We are also supporting 20,000 gas tax and CMHC projects. However, the answer—

Mr. Luc Berthold: Mr. Chair, first of all, the government waited two years before providing a list of gas tax funding to the Parliamentary Budget Officer. They did so last Friday. Next, they said they could not give out the list of projects for security reasons. Then they said they could not give out the list because of the previous government. However, after two years of waiting, a partial list was provided to the Parliamentary Budget Officer on Friday. Is it not time to give the Auditor General the power to investigate this Liberal infrastructure fiasco?

Hon. Catherine McKenna: Mr. Chair, we have already outlined the projects in which we are directly investing, and I will speak frankly to the hon. member. It was the Conservative government that negotiated a ten-year gas tax plan that does not require reporting on projects. Quebec is not required to report on a project-by-project basis. I can assure you that, when we renegotiate this agreement, we will require municipalities and provinces to publicly report on projects. I cannot believe the hon. member, a Conservative—

Mr. Luc Berthold: Mr. Chair, this is unbelievable. How can the government say that there were 20,000 gas tax projects when the minister herself says that the provinces do not have to report on the projects in which the government has invested. In fact, we have received another answer. The Parliamentary Budget Officer has learned from Infrastructure Canada officials that the government does not collect detailed data on CMHC projects. How can this government claim to have completed a given number of projects when, based on its own statements and those of its department, it is not able to obtain the numbers. Why is the minister spinning her wheels so much instead of providing all the information to Canadians?

Hon. Catherine McKenna: Mr. Chair, we have provided the information. I find it truly incredible to hear these questions from the Conservative Party, the hon. member's party, when the Conservatives wanted to cut our infrastructure investments in the last election campaign. So I am asking the hon. member which projects they would have cut.

Mr. Luc Berthold Municipalities are asking for help. A Royal Bank of Canada economic study released this morning is very clear: the COVID-19 pandemic has had a tsunami effect on municipal finances. In 2020, the revenue shortfall from lowering property taxes and user fees, including public transit, will be $11.7 billion for Canada as a whole, including $5 billion for Ontario. Why is the minister playing petty politics instead of helping the municipalities?

Hon. Catherine McKenna: Mr. Chair, we are helping the municipalities. We are investing in infrastructure every day. We recognize the need to be flexible during this crisis. That is why we are advancing $2.2 billion to municipalities to help them get back on their feet, to build more infrastructure and to create jobs. We will certainly continue to work with the provinces and territories. It is extremely important that our essential workers be able to travel by public transit.

June 8, 2020

Hon. Candice Bergen (Portage—Lisgar, CPC): I'd just like to inform the minister that they do not have a majority government, and Parliament is still part of our democracy. This COVID committee does not replace Parliament, and it's sad to see the arrogance and the hypocrisy of Justin Trudeau, as well as this Liberal government. Here we've seen an area where the government has been really unaccountable, and that's in infrastructure spending. Infrastructure Minister McKenna said they have funded 52,000 projects, but the Parliamentary Budget Officer said there are 20,000 that are unaccounted for. Therefore, we've asked the minister, will she table, will she make public, the 20,000 projects they're trying to hide from Canadians?

Hon. Catherine McKenna (Minister of Infrastructure and Communities):  Mr. Chair, the simple answer to the honourable member's question is to look at the 10-year agreement that the Conservatives signed on the gas tax fund in 2014. It does not require provinces to provide detailed reporting on each project or its outcomes. In fact, Quebec isn't required to do project-by-project reporting at all. We'll be looking for more accountability when we renegotiate the gas tax funds, for example, by requiring provinces and municipalities to publicly publish project details on their website. In the meantime, it's quite something for the Conservatives to attack the accountability of a program they negotiated.

June 4, 2020

Mr. Bernard Généreux (Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, CPC): Mr. Chair, the Union des municipalités du Québec and the Fédération québécoise des municipalités received $2.2 billion from the government, whereas they were asking for $10 billion. The government said that additional amounts would probably be made available. In Quebec, one of the rules imposed by the federal government is that 20% of all money spent must be spent on municipal buildings, fire stations, water tanks and other items that serve the community. Is the government planning to relax its measures to allow municipalities to spend the money more appropriately?

Hon. Catherine McKenna (Minister of Infrastructure and Communities): Mr. Chair, we are very proud of how we are investing in infrastructure across the country. We are working with the province of Quebec and the municipalities to invest in projects. We are working directly with the province of Quebec, we are also working together on the gas tax, and we will continue to do so.

Mr. Taylor Bachrach (Skeena—Bulkley Valley, NDP): Mr. Chair, I will be sharing my time with the member for Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie. Mr. Chair, it's been a week since the Parliamentary Budget Officer told us that he was unable to get details on thousands of infrastructure projects that this government has funded. Will the minister please tell us whether in that week she has had a chance to provide the PBO with the information he is seeking?

Hon. Catherine McKenna: Mr. Chair, I'd like to thank the member opposite for the question. We're proud of the historic investments our government is making in infrastructure. We provided more than 33,000 itemized projects to the Parliamentary Budget Officer's office. In addition, there are also approximately 8,500 CMHC projects related to housing, which we do not make public for reasons of privacy and security. In addition, there are approximately 12,000 municipal projects that have been funded through the gas tax. I invite the member opposite to discuss with mayors across the country, including in his own riding, how—

Mr. Taylor Bachrach: Mr. Chair, I'm going to ask the question again. Has the PBO received the information on thousands of infrastructure projects that this government has funded, information that he is clearly seeking?

Hon. Catherine McKenna: Mr. Chair, as I have said, we have provided more than 33,000 itemized projects to the PBO's office. In addition, there are CMHC-funded projects related to housing for which there are privacy and security concerns, including with relation to women's shelters. In addition, there are also approximately—

Mr. Taylor Bachrach: Mr. Chair, with regard to the municipal projects, these are projects that this government has funded. Does this government not keep track of the details of the projects that it funds?

Hon. Catherine McKenna: Mr. Chair, I had hoped to save this response for the Conservatives, but the current 10-year gas tax agreement, which does not require municipalities to provide us with an itemized list, was negotiated and signed by the Conservatives in 2014.

Mr. Taylor Bachrach: Mr. Chair, can the minister please provide this House with an assurance that the Auditor General will not run into similar difficulties when the audit of this government's infrastructure program is conducted?

Hon. Catherine McKenna: Mr. Chair, we've been very clear. We are transparent with the projects that we are funding. We have provided the information for the over 33,000 projects. We will continue doing that going forward.

Mr. Taylor Bachrach: Mr. Chair, Canadians clearly want a low-carbon future, yet this government's climate lens only applies to a portion of the infrastructure projects it funds. Can the minister please explain why?

Hon. Catherine McKenna: Mr. Chair, we believe that we need to make sure that we take climate change into account when we do infrastructure projects. It's critically important. It makes a real difference when we invest in projects that lower emissions that are more sustainable, that build a more resilient future. We will continue to do that. We have built projects across this country, from renewable energy to public transit projects to projects that reduce emissions.

June 1, 2020

Mr. John Brassard (Barrie—Innisfil, CPC):Can the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities tell us who Pierre Lavallée is?

Hon. Catherine McKenna (Minister of Infrastructure and Communities): Mr. Chair, of course. Pierre Lavallée was the former CEO of the Canada Infrastructure Bank. We are very proud that we now have Michael Sabia as the new chair of the Infrastructure Bank. He did a fabulous job in Montreal at—

Mr. John Brassard: Can the minister tell me how long Mr. Lavallée was the CEO of the Infrastructure Bank?

Hon. Catherine McKenna: Mr. Chair, I can't give you the exact months. He was the CEO of the Canada Infrastructure Bank since the beginning, but let's be clear: Crown corporations work at arm's length from the government and must have—

Mr. John Brassard: Can I ask the minister how well she knows her file: 50%, 75% or 100%?

Hon. Catherine McKenna: Mr. Chair, that's quite a condescending little comment. I'd like to say that I know my file very well. What I know is that Canadians want infrastructure built, they want it built across the country, in the member opposite's riding and in ridings across the country. They want cleaner, healthier, more connected. Some hon. members: Hear, hear!

Mr. John Brassard: How much of the $35 billion of infrastructure money that was allocated to that bank has been spent so far?

Hon. Catherine McKenna: Mr. Chair, the Infrastructure Bank is a new, more flexible financing model for infrastructure investments. It was set up; it is now in its new phase. We're very excited that it's going to be moving forward—and stay tuned.

Mr. John Brassard: In the context of Mr. Duclos' advice to his cabinet colleagues about openness and transparency, I'd like to ask the minister how much Mr. Lavallée was paid annually.

Hon. Catherine McKenna: Mr. Chair, as I said, Crown corporations work at arm's length from the government. Our government follows the Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act when it comes to employee compensation, but remuneration ranges are publicly available. I'd note that this information for the bank's CEOs has been in the public domain—

Mr. John Brassard: Mr. Chair, I'm asking the minister how much Mr. Lavallée made. There was no answer to that. If it is in the public realm, she should know that. She said she knows her file very well. How much of a bonus was Mr. Lavallée paid recently when he left on April 2?

Hon. Catherine McKenna: Mr. Chair, I am not involved in HR discussions when it comes to the Canada Infrastructure Bank and May 28, 2020. Mr. Lavallée. Crown corporations work at arm's length from the government. They need to have flexibility to meet their commercial mandates. As I say, the information about salary ranges is publicly available, but personal HR—

Mr. Luc Berthold (Mégantic—L'Érable, CPC): Thank you, Mr. Chair. One million dollars is the cost of installing air conditioning for a number of rooms in a CHSLD; it is a new fire station; it is 200 more student jobs for day camps in Quebec. With $1 million, the Liberal government plans to give an annual bonus to the president of the Canada Infrastructure Bank. Does the Minister of Infrastructure agree with the bank's board, which is being so generous to its president with Canadians' money?

Hon. Catherine McKenna (Minister of Infrastructure and Communities): Mr. Chair, I am very proud of what our government has done to invest in communities across the country. We are investing in infrastructure. We are building by investing in renewable energy, green infrastructure and public transit, including in the member's riding. That is what we will continue to do. I am very proud that Michael Sabia has decided to join the Canada Infrastructure Bank. We are going to continue our work.

Mr. Luc Berthold: Mr. Chair, could the infrastructure minister explain to Canadians how it is better to give $1 million in bonuses to the CEO of the Canada Infrastructure Bank than to invest in roads, schools, hospitals and long-term care homes?

Hon. Catherine McKenna: Mr. Chair, I am very happy to explain to the member opposite that we are doing just that. Perhaps he isn't aware of our $33 billion infrastructure program in which we are working directly with the Government of Quebec to build infrastructure that's making a huge difference, including projects in the member's riding. We are going to continue doing that.

Mr. Luc Berthold: Mr. Chair, she is not answering the question at all. On April 3, the previous president of the Canada Infrastructure Bank left his position for reasons that remain unclear. How much did he receive in bonuses for his years at the helm of the Canada Infrastructure Bank?

Hon. Catherine McKenna: Mr. Chair, the change of management at the Canada Infrastructure Bank marks a new phase in the development of the bank. We are working to build a modern, public infrastructure, to create jobs, and to make Canada more competitive internationally.

Mr. Luc Berthold: We are talking about the bonuses given to the president of the Canada Infrastructure Bank. We have received no answer on that. What were the evaluation criteria that led to the decision that the former CEO had delivered a performance worthy of a bonus, when few, if any, projects were financed by the bank?

Hon. Catherine McKenna: Mr. Chair, I would like to thank the former CEO, Pierre Lavallée, for his contribution to the establishment of this new institution. I am very proud that Michael Sabia has joined the bank. We will continue to work to build Canada and create good jobs.

Mr. Luc Berthold: How much did he receive in bonuses?

Hon. Catherine McKenna: The range of compensation for the CEO is set by the bank and is publicly available.

Mr. Luc Berthold: Did the minister approve the bonuses paid to the former president of the Canada Infrastructure Bank?

Hon. Catherine McKenna: As I have already said, the compensation range for the CEO is determined by the bank and is public knowledge because of the legislation—

Mr. Luc Berthold: Thank you, Mr. Chair. If the new president stays in the position for five years, he could be entitled to a bonus totalling $4 million, in addition to his salary of $3 million. Does the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities consider that this is a good way to spend taxpayers' money?

Hon. Catherine McKenna: We have to build our country, create good short-term jobs, ensure that we have a cleaner future, invest in renewable energy and green infrastructure in order to build bridges, public transportation—

Mr. Luc Berthold: Mr. Chair, if the new CEO stays in office for five years, he will be entitled to a total potential bonus of $4 million, in addition to his salary of $3 million. Does the Minister of Infrastructure think this is a good way to spend taxpayers' money, yes or no?

Hon. Catherine McKenna: Mr. Chair, I'm very proud that we have Michael Sabia, who is now head of the Canada Infrastructure Bank as the board chair. We need to move forward in building infrastructure that's going to create jobs, including in the member's riding; that's going to help move us to a cleaner future; that's going to grow our economy and increase Canada's competitiveness. The bank is a key part of the investing in Canada plan—

May 7, 2020

Mr. Luc Berthold (Mégantic—L'Érable, CPC): Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I am going to keep talking about the area of jurisdiction that the Prime Minister likes to talk about, except that I want to point out the incompetence of the Liberals in keeping their commitments on infrastructure projects. My question is very simple. As the provinces gradually restart their economies, can the Prime Minister tell us how many projects that the provinces have submitted are waiting for approval from his government?

Hon. Catherine McKenna (Minister of Infrastructure and Communities): I'm sorry, Mr. Chair, I was on mute. I'm very pleased with how we are working with the provinces and territories. I have spoken with all of my provincial and territorial counterparts over the last couple of weeks. Work on our historic infrastructure program is progressing well. My department has worked very hard to approve projects, and we will continue to do so. It is very important to build projects that will create good jobs—

Mr. Luc Berthold: We still haven't had a response. How many projects are currently awaiting government approval? I know that the minister has been meeting virtually with the provinces over the last few days. However, there are still hundreds of projects waiting for approval from the Liberal government. Rather than wait for the right political opportunity to approve these files, will the minister commit today to respecting the provinces and approving by next week all the projects that are sitting on her desk?

Hon. Catherine McKenna: Mr. Chair, I'm pleased with how we are working with the provinces and territories. We are approving projects. If the hon. member speaks to the provinces and territories, he will see how well we are working together. We will announce the approval of projects because it's very important for our economy, our communities and creating good jobs.

Mr. Luc Berthold: Does the minister understand that she hasn't told us how many projects are still pending? The construction season is very short. Approval of a project in July means that work can't begin until next year, which won't help revive our economy.

Hon. Catherine McKenna: I want to make it clear that we have approved hundreds of projects in the last few weeks. We will work with the provinces, territories, municipalities and indigenous communities to implement these projects. These projects are important for the economy and the environment, as well as for jobs—

Mr. Luc Berthold: Mr. Chair, while the minister is calling for a green recovery of the country's economy, public transit is at risk. Physical distancing measures will cause public transit use to drop for several months. The Union des municipalités du Québec estimates that the monthly losses are between $75 million and $100 million. Other countries have included public transit in pandemic relief programs. Why isn't Canada?

Hon. Catherine McKenna: Mr. Chair, we recognize the importance of public transit for our economy, since some essential workers use public transit. We are working very closely with our counterparts and are listening to the municipalities. As the Prime Minister said, it's the provinces that must help because the money—

Mr. Luc Berthold: Mr. Chair, once again, what we're hearing is that the government is passing the buck to the provinces. Unfortunately, the minister was unable to answer a single question about the number of infrastructure projects still on the federal government's desk, which is very important. Several large municipalities are waiting for the approval of projects. Moreover, public transit systems are facing an extremely serious financial crisis. Ridership in most systems is down 85% to 90%. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is asking for help for small communities, as well as large municipalities. Why is the federal government ignoring the municipalities in the Canadian Federation of Municipalities at this time?

Hon. Catherine McKenna: Mr. Chair, I can reassure the hon. member that we are working very closely with the municipalities. We are listening to the municipalities to find out what their issues are and how we can support them. Of course, we need the help of the provinces and territories. In terms of the number of projects that we've approved, I would be happy to inform the hon. member of the exact number of all the approved projects that my department has been working very hard on over the past few months to approve projects to go forward.

INFC Related Questions

June 8, 2020

1. Hon. Candice Bergen  (Portage—Lisgar, CPC): Mr. Chair, it's the Parliamentary Budget Officer who has stated that there have been projects that money has been spent on but they don't know where it's gone. The government says they've spent $10 billion on infrastructure; the Parliamentary Budget Officer says only $5 billion. The government has an opportunity to be transparent and they need to table those projects. Another area where they've been holding back is on the Auditor General's ability to provide oversight of this massive amount of spending. When the Conservatives put money into infrastructure, when we stimulated the economy during one of the great recessions, we put it into legislation that the Auditor General would provide oversight, and we provided funding for that. Will the Liberals provide funding for the Auditor General and let the Auditor General audit all the spending that has happened over the last number of months?
   
   Hon. Joyce Murray (Minister of Digital Government): Mr. Chair, first I would like to offer my congratulations to the new Auditor General for her appointment. I'd also like, on behalf of the government, to offer her our full support and collaboration. Her role is essential to our democracy, and we are all eager to work with her. The Auditor General is more than welcome to share her concerns directly with the government, and I can assure her that my colleague the Minister of Finance, the President of the Treasury Board and all of us will take these concerns into account.

2. Damien Kurek (Battle River—Crowfoot, CPC): Thank you, Madam Chair. Actions speak much louder than words. In fact, we heard in committee last week that the infrastructure minister, Catherine McKenna, refused to reveal whether or not 20,000 projects even exist, and the Information Commissioner has launched an investigation into the government's processing of access to information requests, also known as ATIPs. Why doesn't the government back up its words with action when it comes to ATIPs?
   
   Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos (President of the Treasury Board): Madam Chair, again I would like to assure all members of this House that access to information is absolutely key to the working of our institutions. It's also absolutely key for Canadians to understand the impact of this important investment we're making to help them go through the crisis.

June 4, 2020

3. Hon. Pierre Poilievre (Carleton, CPC): Mr. Chair, the government says it has started 53,000 infrastructure projects. The PBO says that 20,000 of them are missing from the list. Would the government table the list of those 20,000 projects, including the start date, the amount spent, the location and what's being built?
   
   Hon. Chrystia Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): Mr. Chair, as the PBO knows, we have more than 33,000 itemized projects that we provided to his office. These are projects like the 1,550 solar panels installed in the district of Hudson's Hope, B.C., improvements to the Legacy Trail between Canmore and Banff, the rehabilitation—

4. Hon. Pierre Poilievre: Mr. Chair, the government claimed that there were over 50,000 projects. Now the Deputy Prime Minister says it's 30,000 projects. That means there are 20,000 missing projects. Will the government table the full list, including the start date and what's being built for those projects?
   
   Hon. Chrystia Freeland: Mr. Chair, as a reporter, I was always careful not to misquote people, so let me be clear on what I said: There were 33,000 itemized projects that we provided to the PBO. There are also approximately 12,000 municipal projects that have been funded through the gas tax fund. I encourage the member opposite to speak to mayors across—

5. Hon. Pierre Poilievre: Mr. Chair, so there are 20,000 missing projects. Will the Deputy Prime Minister table the list of those projects today, yes or no?
   
   Hon. Chrystia Freeland: Mr. Chair, let me talk about some of those 33,000—actually, 33,049, to be precise—itemized projects—

6. Hon. Pierre Poilievre: Mr. Chair, there are 20,000 missing projects from the list. Will the Deputy Prime Minister table the list of the missing projects today, yes or no?
   
   Hon. Chrystia Freeland: Mr. Chair, let me help the member opposite with some precision. As I said, 33,049 projects have been itemized. There are also approximately 12,000 municipal projects. I want to—

7. Hon. Pierre Poilievre: Mr. Chair, the government said there were 50,000 projects. They say that they only have a list for 30,000 projects. We know 50,000 minus 30,000 equals 20,000. Those are the projects for which there are no start dates, no locations and no description. We don't even know what they built. According to the PBO, they total $5 billion a year. That's $5 billion a year in missing projects. Will the Deputy Prime Minister table the list for the 20,000 projects today, yes or no?
   
   Hon. Chrystia Freeland: Mr. Chair, the member opposite seems to have a problem hearing precisely what I am saying. I've heard him say 30,000 a few times, but I think I've been quite clear that the number of itemized projects is 33,049. This includes 8,548 projects in my own province of Ontario, 4,594 projects in B.C., 3,502 projects in Saskatchewan, 3,096 projects in Alberta, 2,800—

8. Hon. Pierre Poilievre: Mr. Chair, so the Deputy Prime Minister will not agree to table the list. The government claims they've spent $10 billion a year on infrastructure. The PBO says there are only lists adding up to $5 billion a year. Here's a simple question. Will the Deputy Prime Minister commit to tabling in the House of Commons the list for the remaining mysterious and, so far, unlisted projects, yes or no?
   
   Hon. Chrystia Freeland: Mr. Chair, our government is committed to being very precise on what we are doing in infrastructure, so let me be precise. There are 33,049 itemized projects and an additional 12,000 municipal projects funded through the gas tax fund, which is an excellent way for municipalities to build. The mayors are extremely keen on it. Members of this House should talk to them.

June 3, 2020

9. Hon. Andrew Scheer (Leader of the Opposition): Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. The government created the Canada Infrastructure Bank in June of 2017. It gave this bank 35 billion. It appointed a CEO in May of 2018. The CEO left on April 20, 2020. The Prime      Minister gave the departing CEO a massive bonus, a bonus so big he is afraid to tell Canadians what it was. I have a simple question for the Prime Minister. How many projects did the Canada Infrastructure Bank complete since its inception?
   
   Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister): Mr. Chair, we created the Canada Infrastructure Bank to leverage private capital along with public money to create more projects, because we knew that investing in infrastructure for communities, growth and Canadians was significantly important. It has invested in a number of large projects that are under way. We know infrastructure investments will make Canada better.

10. Hon. Andrew Scheer: How many projects have been completed through the Canada Infrastructure Bank?
    
    Right Hon. Justin Trudeau: Mr. Chair, large infrastructure projects take many years to create, but they have a positive impact on communities. That's why we've invested in infrastructure—

11. Hon. Andrew Scheer: Mr. Chair, the Prime Minister said the Liberals came up with this scheme to build more infrastructure projects, so how many projects have been completed?
    
    Right Hon. Justin Trudeau: Mr. Chair, we know that building infrastructure is a way to build stronger futures for Canadians. That is exactly what we are doing.

12. Hon. Andrew Scheer: Mr. Chair, how many projects were completed?
    
    Right Hon. Justin Trudeau: Mr. Chair, a number of projects are under way right now, and there are more to come.

13. Hon. Andrew Scheer: Mr. Chair, when people get a bonus for doing a job, it's usually because they exceeded expectations. How many projects have been completed by the Canada Infrastructure Bank?
    
    Right Hon. Justin Trudeau: Mr. Chair, there are a number of large projects under way and more to come.

14. Hon. Andrew Scheer: Mr. Chair, the Canada Infrastructure Bank has an operating cost of approximately $50 million a year. What has the Canadian taxpayer received for that $50 million a year? In other words, how many projects have been completed? The Prime Minister can't answer a simple question. How many projects have been completed?
    
    Right Hon. Justin Trudeau: Mr. Chair, for over 10 years under Stephen Harper, Conservatives underinvested in infrastructure. Therefore, over the past five years, we have made significant investments in infrastructure that have created jobs and growth for Canadians.

15. Hon. Andrew Scheer: The previous Conservative government invested in ports, bridges, roads and airports. This Canada Infrastructure Bank has taken $35 billion from Canadian taxpayers. It has just paid the outgoing CEO a massive bonus. A bonus is usually given for a job well done, exceeding expectations. So far, it looks like the Canada Infrastructure Bank has completed zero projects. Has that exceeded the Prime Minister's expectations?
    
    Right Hon. Justin Trudeau: Mr. Chair, investing in infrastructure is not only a way of creating jobs now but also of creating growth and prosperity into the future. That's why we moved forward with an innovative idea that is going to create more infrastructure that Canadians need across this country.

16. Hon. Andrew Scheer: It is an innovative idea that protects the investments of wealthy hedge funds and puts all the risks on the backs of taxpayers. He said this is an innovative idea, so how many projects have been built by this innovative idea?
    
    Right Hon. Justin Trudeau: Mr. Chair, there are a number of projects under way and more to come. We know that investing in infrastructure and our communities is a better way of building the future than the cuts the Conservatives have done for years.

17. Hon. Andrew Scheer: Mr. Chair, what actually improves the quality of life in our communities is for projects to be completed. It's easy to make announcements about projects. This bank has been in operation for almost three years now. Once again—if the answer is zero, why doesn't he just say zero?—how many projects has the Infrastructure Bank completed?
    
    Right Hon. Justin Trudeau: Mr. Chair, there are a number of projects under way across the country. These are things that take many years to do, but we know that investing in infrastructure, unlike what the Conservatives have always done, is the way to build a stronger future for this country.

18. Hon. Andrew Scheer: What exactly did the CEO accomplish that warranted a massive bonus on his way out?
    
    Right Hon. Justin Trudeau: Mr. Chair, setting up the Canada Infrastructure Bank is an important part of making sure that Canadians have the infrastructures they need for their lives and for the growth of the economy.

19. Hon. Andrew Scheer: Is the Prime Minister telling us that when he announced the Canada Infrastructure Bank in June 2017, he had zero expectations for any projects built and that he was going to pay a massive payout to a CEO just for setting up a new government agency?
    
    Right Hon. Justin Trudeau: Mr. Chair, investing in infrastructure is a way to grow the economy, create jobs for Canadians and create a brighter future. That's what we've been focused on.

June 2, 2020

20. Hon. Andrew Scheer (Leader of the Opposition): The fact of the matter, Mr Chair, is that it hasn't. The former public safety minister, Ralph Goodale, promised in this House over a year ago that an answer on Huawei would be coming. Here we are, it's June 2, 2020, and they still haven't made a decision.
    
    On another topic, Mr. Chair, the President of the Treasury Board wrote to cabinet last week and said that transparency is important even in a time of crisis. I guess the Minister of Infrastructure didn't get that letter. She's refusing to tell us how much of a bonus she gave to the departing head of the Canada Infrastructure Bank. At a time when Canadians are struggling, it is disgusting that the Liberals are paying out bonuses to someone who accomplished nothing. Will the Prime Minister have a little respect for taxpayers and tell us exactly how much of a bonus the CEO of the Canada Infrastructure Bank received?
    
    Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister): Mr. Chair, the mandate of the Canada Infrastructure Bank is to find innovative ways to finance some of Canada's biggest infrastructure projects by leveraging private capital. The remuneration range of the former CEO has been in the public domain for more than two years. The opposition is looking backward. We're moving forward. The bank is moving into its next phase of development, now under the leadership of the new board chair, Michael Sabia, and will play an important role in the recovery when the time comes.

21. Hon. Andrew Scheer: Mr. Chair, only to a Liberal would an innovative approach to building infrastructure mean building absolutely nothing. The CEO of an infrastructure bank who accomplished zero completed infrastructure projects should not be receiving a bonus. I didn't ask a question about the remuneration. I didn't ask a question about the salary. This individual received a bonus. How much was that bonus?
    
    Right Hon. Justin Trudeau: Mr. Chair, as I said, the remuneration range of this former CEO has been in the public domain for more than two years. In regard to further payments, we do not comment on personal HR and financial information of individuals in government.

22. Hon. Andrew Scheer: Mr. Chair, again, I did not ask about the remuneration. I asked about the bonus. The Canada Infrastructure Bank was a Liberal scheme designed to protect the investments of private investors and put all the risk onto taxpayers. Even with that model, do you know how many projects they completed? Zero. Yet, the individual in charge of that received a bonus from the Prime Minister. Apparently, to the Liberals, he was doing a good job. They might try to claim that it's arm's length and that they can't divulge this information, but we know that Minister Champagne personally intervened in the decision regarding the bonus of the Canada Infrastructure Bank's CEO. It's a simple question. How much did that individual receive?
    
    Right Hon. Justin Trudeau: Mr. Chair, five years ago, when we first got elected, we had to turn around the underinvestment that Stephen Harper's Conservatives had made in infrastructure across the country. Even during the depths of the 2008 recession, the investments they made were for things like doorknobs and signs. They went into debt and didn't have anything to show for it. We're going to continue to move forward on historic investments in infrastructure to build up this country. We're using innovative means like the infrastructure bank to do that.

June 1, 2020

23. Mr. John Brassard (Barrie—Innisfil, CPC):Thank you, Mr. Chair. Last week the President of the Treasury Board wrote a letter to his cabinet colleagues in which he said that, as the federal minister responsible for public access to government information, he has advised his cabinet colleagues of the need for transparency and accountability, even in times of crisis. My question is for the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. Does she agree with the President of the Treasury Board's directive?
    
    Hon. Steven Guilbeault (Minister of Canadian Heritage): Mr. Chair, the government remains committed to maintaining the openness and transparency of our government during this challenging time. The Government of Canada, along with provincial and territorial governments, have implemented exceptional workplace measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, and to protect the health and safety of federal employees. These measures have had an impact on institutions' abilities to respond to access to information and personal information requests, since most employees are now working from their homes.

24. Mr. John Brassard: Frankly, I'm surprised that the answer is coming from that minister when the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities is in the House, but I will ask this question. Can the minister tell Canadians who Pierre Lavallée is?
    
    Hon. Steven Guilbeault: Treasury Board Secretariat has provided guidance to institutions to continue to make the best efforts to respond to Access to Information Act and Privacy Act requests and to provide published content—

May 20, 2020

25. Mr. Luc Berthold (Mégantic—L'Érable, CPC): Mr. Chair, the House is also called on to adopt bills and move them forward. We have not done that at all since this pandemic began, since you left your chair on March 12. How many projects from the provinces are still waiting for approval? How many projects does the Minister of Infrastructure have on her desk and how many have been put aside? Unfortunately, because of that, the economy cannot reopen.
    
    Hon. Pablo Rodriguez (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons): I will happily send him the list of bills that have been passed. It is a long list. It starts with the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, which was ratified on March 13. Then I could mention all the programs we have adopted here to help Canadians, such as the Canada emergency response benefit and the wage subsidy. We have passed many bills here in the House. The work goes on.

26. Mr. Luc Berthold: We are in complete agreement that those bills were passed. We were here. However, we would like Parliament to resume its work. For example, how can we reopen the economy while we are waiting to hear from the Minister of Infrastructure? The minister has not been here in the House very often. Unfortunately, I have many questions to ask her. She said she intended to grant 80% funding for municipal infrastructure projects. When will we have a press release about that?
    
    Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister): Members know that they must not refer to anyone's presence in or absence from the House.
    
    The Chair: The Right Honourable Prime Minister is correct. We bent the rules earlier, but this time it was fairly clear. Let me remind all members that they must not refer to a member's presence in or absence from the House, especially in the current situation. The honourable minister has the floor.
    
    Hon. Pablo Rodriguez: Actually, my colleague is helping me to demonstrate the importance of virtual sessions. Nearly all ministers are attending these sessions, and members can ask them questions and get responses directly.

27. Mr. Luc Berthold: Mr. Chair, we learned last week that the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities caused some consternation in her government by announcing infrastructure measures that were not yet fully finalized, according to La Presse. The minister announced in the media that her department was speeding up the allocation of $3 billion to modernize infrastructure such as hospitals and schools across Canada. When will the Prime Minister confirm this announcement?
    
    Hon. Navdeep Bains (Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry): Mr. Chair, I would like to thank my colleague for his question. The Minister of Infrastructure and Communities is working closely with her provincial and territorial counterparts, municipal elected officials across Canada, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and public transit authorities to assess needs and priorities—

28. Mr. Luc Berthold: Will the 80% federal contribution apply to the more than 400 projects waiting, sitting idle on the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities' desk? Will it apply to all new projects? Which municipalities will be granted 80% funding for projects? We have no answer. For once, could I get a real answer, please?
    
    Hon. Navdeep Bains: Mr. Chair, we will continue to work hard every day with our colleagues across Canada, particularly elected municipal officials. We will continue to find solutions that will help municipalities.

May 20, 2020

29. Mr. Luc Berthold (Mégantic—L'Érable, CPC): Mr. Chair, the very problem is that the government is picking and choosing the questions it wants to answer. The new Auditor General confirmed yesterday that her office would probably not be able to complete its audit of the federal infrastructure plan by the deadline requested by the majority of members of the House. The government has delivered virtually nothing on its infrastructure plan since 2015, except talk and fancy graphics. It's not just me saying that. In an article by The Canadian Press, the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities was quoted as saying that she was trying to be smarter and more efficient with existing programs. Will the government pledge here and now to give the Office of the Auditor General the figures it needs?
    
    Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos (President of the Treasury Board): Mr. Chair, I'd like to thank the member for this opportunity to congratulate the new Auditor General and let her know that she can count on our full support. We know that the work she'll be doing is incredibly important for government and parliamentary institutions alike and will provide Canadians with greater transparency and openness, two fundamental principles that must be upheld in Canada. We look forward to working with her.

30. Mr. Luc Berthold: Mr. Chair, everyone knows history repeats itself. Unfortunately, during a time of economic growth, the Liberals couldn't fulfill their commitment, and the infrastructure money never made it out of Ottawa. With the global economy ailing, no one trusts the Liberals to revive the economy now that the going is tough, since they couldn't do it when the going was good. When will the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities unveil her recovery plan and give the green light so infrastructure projects can gear up in Canada?
    
    Hon. Navdeep Bains (Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry):Mr. Chair, unfortunately, I disagree with the member. The Minister of Infrastructure and Communities is working on how infrastructure projects can help get the economy moving again and put people to work in the short term. In the long term, we will address the challenges that COVID-19 brought to the fore and we will help rebuild Canada.

31. Mr. Luc Berthold: Mr. Chair, the infrastructure minister said that the federal government would contribute up to 80% of the funding for infrastructure projects. Will that be the case for all infrastructure projects sitting on her desk?
    
    Hon. Navdeep Bains: Mr. Chair, the minister is engaged in extensive consultations with the provinces and municipalities, as well as experts at home and abroad.

32. Mr. Luc Berthold: Mr. Chair, starting when will projects be eligible for federal funding?
    
    Hon. Navdeep Bains:  Mr. Chair, as everyone knows, the economy has not been hit this hard since the 1930s—

33. Mr. Luc Berthold: Mr. Chair, will all the proposals submitted to Ottawa so far also be funded at 80%? After all, they have been the victims of the Liberal government's delay in approving projects for far too long.
    
    Hon. Navdeep Bains: Mr. Chair, when Canada builds, Canada grows.

May 14, 2020

34. Mr. Richard Cannings (South Okanagan—West Kootenay, NDP): Four years ago, a huge rockfall damaged a critical irrigation canal that provides water to much of the South Okanagan. That canal allows orchardists and vineyard owners to grow the crops that make the valley famous. The Town of Oliver has tried to secure federal funding of about $5 million to help repair the canal, but the federal agriculture department won't provide money because it's an infrastructure problem, and federal infrastructure department won't provide funding because it would benefit agriculture.
    
    Last month, the infrastructure minister announced that she was looking for shovel-ready projects to help local economies pull out of the pandemic. This project has been shovel-ready for two years. Can the Prime Minister find one ministry that would step up and help fund this critical work?
    
    Hon. Chrystia Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): Like many people who grew up in Alberta, I am very familiar with the amazingly beautiful Okanagan, but I am not personally familiar, I'm sad to say, with that canal. I can commit to the member opposite that I will raise this issue with our Minister of Infrastructure, who is working very energetically with the provinces right now to get money to shovel-ready projects.

35. Mr. Richard Cannings: Well, Mr. Chair, we've been waiting for two or three years now for the funding. It doesn't fit into the little packages that federal money tends to come in, so the Town of Oliver and the people of the South Okanagan would like a federal commitment today that, in this situation, would say, let's find the money to build this project and keep those vineyards and orchards growing, because without water they will die within weeks.
    
    Hon. Chrystia Freeland: Mr. Chair, I totally support Okanagan vineyards and orchards, but I think the member opposite will agree that it is imprudent to make a commitment without knowing all the details. What I can commit to doing is to looking into this and getting back to the honourable member.

May 7, 2020

36. Mr. Taylor Bachrach (Skeena—Bulkley Valley, NDP): Mr. Chair, municipalities across Canada are facing a financial crisis. They've seen revenues plummet, and at the same time the cost of delivering municipal services has risen. As the Prime Minister knows, municipalities are unable to run deficits and so they are facing the reality of cutbacks and serious cuts to the services that Canadians depend on.
    
    We know that municipalities are vital during this time to provide services to Canadians. They're going to be even more important during the recovery, especially when it comes to delivering on the infrastructure programs before us. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities and mayors across Canada have called for emergency financial relief for the municipal sector. My question for the Prime Minister is, when can they expect federal financial support to arrive?
    
    Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister): Mr. Chair, no government in Canada's history has done more to work with our municipalities, with our cities, with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to respond to the challenges they're facing and to partner with them. Things from infrastructure to investments have made a huge difference right across the country in the quality of life of Canadians in towns, large and small, from coast to coast to coast. As I'm sure the member well knows, our Constitution requires that most of the funding for municipalities flow through the provinces. We are working with the provinces, as we continue to work with the cities, to ensure that we're able to support this order of government that delivers the vast majority of services to Canadians with very little financial means. We know how difficult it is for our cities. We will continue—

May 6, 2020

37. Ms. Nelly Shin (Port Moody—Coquitlam, CPC):Thank you. The village of Belcarra in my riding is a densely forested area. If a forest fire were to start, it could potentially consume the entire riding. Currently, Belcarra has access to only one hour's worth of water to put out a forest fire. There are only two narrow roads for evacuation from Belcarra. So far, Belcarra has been safe because of luck and good providence. The limited water supply issue must be resolved, especially during this pandemic with its added complications. Over a month ago, the Mayor of Belcarra put forward an application to seek government support to build a water reservoir in the village. Will the Minister of Infrastructure return my request for a phone or Zoom call and discuss this urgent need for infrastructure support with the mayor of Belcarra?
    
    Hon. Bill Blair (Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction): Mr. Chair, a very important part of our work in emergency preparedness is making investments in communities right across the country to reduce and mitigate the impact that wildfires and flooding can have in all of our communities. There is certainly consideration going on, and investments through our infrastructure spending, to invest in communities when those requests come in. When they come in, they will be assessed appropriately and responded to as necessary.

Order Paper Questions

OPQ # and topic	Member of Parliament	Text of Question
Q-245 Skeena Bulkley Valley Infrastructure	Mr. Bachrach (NDP)	With regard to the electoral district of Skeena—Bulkley Valley, between the fiscal year 2005-06 and the current year: what are all the federal infrastructure investments, including direct transfers to municipalities, regional district associations or First Nations, national parks, highways, etc., broken down by fiscal year?
Q-246 CIB finance Projects	Mr.  Bachrach (NDP)	With regard to the Canada Infrastructure Bank: (a) what is the complete list of infrastructure projects financed by the bank since June 1, 2018; (b) for each project in (a), what are the details, including the (i) amount of federal financing, (ii) location of project, (iii) scheduled completion date of project, (iv) project description; and (c) what are the details of projects currently proposed for the bank, including the (i) proposed date of commencement, (ii) location of project, (iii) proposed federal financing, (iv) project description?
Q-247 ICIP approved funding	Mr. Bachrach (NDP)	With regard to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan: (a) what is the total amount of approved funding; (b) what is the complete list of approved projects; and (c) for each project in (b), what are the details, including the (i) value of approved project, (ii) total amount of federal financing, (iii) location of project, (iv) project description, (v) scheduled completion date?
Q-248 ICIP remaining funding	Mr. Bachrach (NDP)	With regard to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan: (a) what is the total amount of allocated funding not yet spent; (b) what is the complete list of proposed projects not yet assigned federal funding or assigned funding, but not yet commenced construction; and (c) for each project in (b), what are the details, including the (i) value of proposed project, (ii) total amount of federal financing, (iii) location of project, (iv) project description, (v) proposed completion date?
Q-311 Infrastructure Investments in Riding	Mr. MacGregor (NDP)	With regard to federal funding investments in infrastructure, programs, and services in the Cowichan—Malahat—Langford riding: what is the total of the monetary investments for the riding across all government departments for the fiscal years (i) 2017-18, (ii) 2018-19, (iii) 2019-20, thus far?
Q-342 Standing Committee Report	Mr. Zimmer (CPC)	With regard to the report of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs entitled "A Path to Growth: Investing in the North", tabled in the House in April 2019: (a) what directives has the (i) Minister of Northern Affairs, (ii) Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, (iii) Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, given to the departments for which they are responsible to fulfill each of the six recommendations, broken down by recommendation; (b) what funding streams have been allocated to fulfill each of the six recommendations, broken down by recommendation; and (c) what plans and timelines have been established by the (i) Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, (ii) Department of Infrastructure Canada, (iii) Department of Innovation and Economic Development Canada, to fulfill each of the six recommendations, broken down by recommendation?
Q-344 Northern Infrastructure projects	Mr. Zimmer (CPC)	With regards to the Budget 2019 commitment to build or expand northern infrastructure projects "through a doubling of the federal municipal infrastructure commitment in 2018-19": (a) what is the breakdown of this funding by project; (b) what are the details of all projects in (a), including the (i) name, (ii) description, (iii) amount of federal contribution, (iv) projected completion date; and (c) how much of this funding has been delivered to date, broken down by individual project?
Q-371 Recommendations from OAG	Mr. Blaikie (NDP)	With regard to recommendations from the Office of the Auditor General of Canada to federal organizations, between 2011 and 2019, broken down by year and by federal organization, for each recommendation: (a) was it accepted, rejected or partially accepted; (b) what is the rationale for acceptance or rejection; and (c) for each recommendation in (a) that was accepted, either fully or partially, was it implemented fully, partially or not at all?
Q-383 Canada Infrastructure Bank	Ms. Hughes (NDP)	With regard to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) and his performance agreement with the CIB Board of Directors, broken down by performance cycle since the inception of the CIB: (a) what are the objectives based on the corporate business plan and related performance measures; (b) what are the objectives that reflect the government's priority areas of focus and related performance measures; (c) what are the objectives based on financial management priorities and related performance measures; (d) which objectives are based on risk management priorities and any other management objectives set by the Board of Directors (infrastructure, marketing, governance, public affairs, etc.); (e) which objectives are based on the government's priorities for financial management and related performance measures (infrastructure, marketing, governance, public affairs, etc.); (f) what are the detailed results of the performance measures for each of the objectives in (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e); (g) what were the details of the CEO's compensation, including salary and performance-based variable compensation; (h) how many times was the performance agreement amended during each performance cycle and what was the rationale for each amendment; (i) what was the CEO's performance rating as recommended to the responsible minister by the Board of Directors; (j) which performance objectives were met; (k) which performance objectives could not be assessed and why; (l) which performance objectives were not met; (m) did the CEO receive an economic increase, and, if so, why; (n) did the CEO receive a salary range progression, and, if so, what is the rationale; and (o) did the CEO receive a lump sum payment, and, if so, what was the rationale?
Q-413 Information Requests from PBO	Ms. Shin (CPC)	With regard to information requests received by departments or agencies from the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) since January 1, 2016: (a) what are the details of all requests and responses, including the (i) request, (ii) date it was received, (iii) date when the information was provided; and (b) what are the details, including the reasons, for all instances where the information was either delayed or not provided to the PBO?
Q-424 zero emissions buses	Mr. Bachrach (NDP)	With regard to the government's plan to introduce a new fund to help municipalities and school boards purchase 5,000 zero-emission buses over the next five years: (a) has the government undertaken any forecasting on the total cost of this commitment, and, if so, (i) how much is this commitment forecasted to cost municipalities and school boards, (ii) what is the expected cost of associated charging infrastructure; (b) how much will be provided by the federal government annually in this new fund; (c) what proportion of the total cost to municipalities will be provided by the federal government through this new fund; (d) what will be the application process for municipalities and school boards; (e) will funding be based on ridership in line with existing transit funding; and (f) how does the government plan on ensuring that transit agencies are not forced to delay or forego other transit expansions to purchase zero-emission buses in line with this target?
Q-501 Federal Funding for Transportation	Mr. Johns (NDP	With regard to active transportation in Canada: what federal actions and funding has been taken with or provided to provinces and municipalities, broken down by year since 2010, that (i) validates the use of roads by cyclists and articulates the safety-related responsibilities of cyclists and other vehicles in on-road situation, (ii) grants authority to various agencies to test and implement unique solutions to operational problems involving active transportation users, (iii) improves road safety for pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users, (iv) makes the purchase of bicycles and cycling equipment more affordable by reducing sales tax on their purchase?