Tab B: Briefing Notes

Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program

Issue / Question

Infrastructure Canada has signed long-term infrastructure agreements with all provincial and territorial partners to make unprecedented investments in public transit, green infrastructure, recreational, cultural, and community infrastructure, as well as rural and northern communities.

Suggested Response

  • Under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program's Bilateral Agreements, Infrastructure Canada is providing funding for public transit, green, community, culture and recreational, and rural and northern infrastructure projects from coast to coast to coast.
  • Infrastructure projects across the country are advancing, including major light rail transit projects, clean water and wastewater treatment projects, ventilation improvement projects in community buildings and Indigenous wellness centres.
  • More than three-quarters of the available funding under this signature program is already committed to infrastructure projects across the country.
  • Budget 2022 introduced important changes to the program timelines to encourage investment across the country and ensure funding is available when needed. Provinces must now commit their allocations two years earlier, by March 31, 2023, while the construction deadline was extended to October 31, 2033.

Background

  • The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) is an allocation-based program. Provinces and territories, in consultation with municipalities and Indigenous communities, are responsible for identifying, prioritizing and submitting projects, and flowing funds to eligible ultimate recipients.
  • Managed through Integrated Bilateral Agreements, the ICIP was originally divided into four funding streams: Public Transit ($20.1 billion); Green Infrastructure ($9.2 billion); Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure ($1.3 billion); and Rural and Northern Infrastructure ($2 billion + $400 million for the Arctic Energy Fund).
  • With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new COVID-19 Resilience stream was created to help communities respond to the immediate pressures and concerns resulting from the pandemic, as well as build resiliency for the future.
  • The Fall Economic Statement 2020 announced a commitment to provide $150 million over three years, starting in 2020-21, to improve ventilation in public buildings and help reduce the risk of aerosol transmission of COVID-19. The ICIP's COVID-19 Resilience stream was allocated $120 million from this commitment, and another $70 million through the Economic and Fiscal Update 2021 to further support ventilation projects in public and community buildings.
  • Budget 2022 accelerates the deadline for provinces to fully commit the allocations that have been provided to them by March 31, 2023. The program's construction deadline for the program was also extended to October 2033 to support recipients in adapting to the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and to allow for the approval of priority projects under the program.
  • Examples of eligible projects include:
    • Public Transit: New Light Rail Transit systems; electric bus purchases; or removing barriers, such as by providing wheelchair ramps at transit stations.
    • Green: Renewable energy storage; strategic Interties; preservation of natural wetland systems; rehabilitation of climate resilient infrastructure; or, water main and sewer replacement, and recycling facilities.
    • Community, Culture and Recreation: Community centres, art galleries, community recreation and trail facilities, and community service hubs.
    • Rural and Northern: Greenhouses, community freezers, short sea shipping wharves, and broadband projects.
    • COVID-19 Resilience stream: Upgrades to municipal and community buildings, hospitals or schools, temporary COVID-19 testing facilities, active transportation pathways, and ventilation improvement in public buildings.

Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program

Issue / Question

How is the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program assisting Canadians?

Suggested Response

  • The Government of Canada is committed to making public community buildings – both existing and new – more energy efficient, lower carbon and more resilient.
  • That is why the new Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program is providing $1.5 billion over five years to support green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades of existing buildings, as well as the construction of new buildings.
  • The program has been extremely popular with hundreds of applications submitted by communities and organization from across the country. Announcements on decisions will be coming soon.
  • In addition, given the program's popularity, a second intake for large retrofits and new builds is planned – more information on that process will be released in the coming months.

Background

  • Announced in December 2020 as part of Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan, the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program (GICB) advances the Government's climate priorities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance the climate resilience of community buildings.
  • The GICB Program will invest $1.5 billion by providing funding directly to communities over five years (2021-26).
  • The GICB Program supports green and inclusive retrofits, repairs or upgrades of existing public community buildings and the construction of new publicly-accessible community, cultural and recreational buildings that serve high-needs, under-served communities across Canada, including Indigenous communities.
  • The GICB was launched on April 14, 2021 and includes two intake streams:
    1. Continuous Intake:
      • Small and medium retrofit projects (under $3 million) to existing buildings will be accepted on a continuous basis and funded on a rolling intake basis.
    2. Scheduled Intake:
      • Large retrofit projects to existing buildings or new community building projects ranging from $3 million to $25 million. The scheduled intake stream closed on July 6, 2021.
  • The program is community-based, providing direct-to-recipient funding. Eligible recipients include: provincial and territorial governments, municipal governments, Indigenous communities and organizations, and not-for-profit organizations. GICB is a national funding envelope with no provincial or territorial allocations.
  • A minimum of $150 million (10%) will be allocated on a distinctions-basis to Indigenous projects being led by and for Indigenous populations and communities. The program also provides for an expanded set of eligible facilities available only to Indigenous applicants as well as direct Indigenous applicant support.

Funding for the Permanent Public Transit Program

Issue / Question

How is the Government of Canada responding to the need for public transit?

Suggested Response

  • Federal transit funding supports public transit systems and active transportation networks, creates jobs, and makes communities more accessible and liveable to all.
  • The Permanent Public Transit Program announced in Budget 2021 provides $14.9 billion over eight years with $3 billion per year ongoing starting in 2026-2027. This funding builds on the $19 billion in funding already available across the country from existing federal programs.
  • Funding will support near-term major transit, zero-emission transit systems, active transportation, and solutions for rural communities.
  • Successful project intakes have recently closed under the Active Transportation Fund and the Rural Transit Solutions Fund and Infrastructure Canada is currently reviewing the received applications.
  • Over the coming months, the government will engage with all orders of government, Indigenous communities, transit agencies, policy experts and other stakeholders to develop an approach to permanent public transit funding that offers the greatest benefits to Canadians.

Background

  • On February 10, 2021, the Prime Minister announced new public transit funding of $14.9 billion over eight years, which includes creating a permanent public transit fund of $3 billion per year, beginning in 2026-27. For decades governments have heard from municipalities and transit authorities that a source of permanent and stable funding is essential to allow for careful and long-term project planning and delivery. Engagement with stakeholders on the development of the permanent transit funding is expected to begin in the near future.
  • The new Permanent Public Transit Program was created to support the expansion of permanent public transit systems and active transportation networks across Canada from coast to coast. The program includes three direct-application funds which aim to support the economic recovery from COVID-19 by creating jobs, particularly in the construction sector and throughout related supply chains:
    • The Zero Emission Transit Fund (ZETF): The five year, $2.75 billion ZETF will advance the Government of Canada's commitment to help procure zero emission public transit and school buses across Canada. Funding will be closely coordinated with the Canada Infrastructure Bank's commitment to invest in Zero Emission Buses as part of its three-year Growth Plan.
    • The Active Transportation Fund (ATF): The five year, $400 million ATF will expand and enhance active transportation networks in communities of all types and sizes, and support Canada's National Active Transportation Strategy. It will do so by supporting planning for and deployment of a wide range of walking, cycling, and other active mobility infrastructure.
      • A call for ATF applications intake was opened on January 27, 2022 and closed March 31, 2022. The applications are currently being assessed.
    • The Rural Transit Solutions Fund (RTSF): The five year, $250 million RTSF will address unique mobility challenges in rural communities by supporting planning and deployment of locally tailored mobility solutions in rural communities, including support to assess the viability of new approaches to mobility.
      • The application intake for planning and design projects closed on October 7, 2021.
      • A call for applications for capital projects closed on April 27, 2022. The applications are currently being assessed.
  • Funding is also being made available to accelerate future major transit projects and supporting the expansion of large urban transit systems that many Canadians depend on every day.
  • These funding opportunities are part of the nearly $15 billion investment for public transit projects announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in February 2021. Federal funding for public transit helps communities of all sizes ensure their residents can get around.
  • These funding opportunities are also key to the Government's commitment to ambitious climate action that keeps our environment and our economy healthy. In Canada, the transportation sector, which includes passenger cars and buses, accounts for 25% of greenhouse gas emissions. Good transit is key to any plan to keep air clean and build strong communities. Tackling climate change and reaching net-zero by 2050 requires strong action by all orders of government and that is exactly what the Government of Canada will continue working with partners to deliver.

Ventilation Improvement Funding

Issue / Question

How are infrastructure investments for ventilation improvements contributing to pandemic recovery?

Suggested Response

  • The Government of Canada has adapted the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to respond to the impacts of COVID-19. The new COVID-19 Resilience stream was created in 2020 to add flexibilities, expand eligibility, and accelerate project approvals.
  • In 2021, an initial $120 million was added to the COVID-19 Resilience stream to improve ventilation in public and community buildings. Now, an additional $70 million will be added to help further the impact of these investments.
  • In total, over 600 ventilation improvement projects with a federal contribution of over $850 million have been approved under the COVID-19 Resilience stream to date.

Background

  • The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) is an allocation-based program. Provinces and territories, in consultation with municipalities and Indigenous communities, are responsible for identifying, prioritizing and submitting projects, and flowing funds to eligible ultimate recipients.
  • Managed through Integrated Bilateral Agreements, the ICIP was originally divided into four funding streams: Public Transit ($20.1 billion); Green Infrastructure ($9.2 billion); Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure ($1.3 billion); and Rural and Northern Infrastructure ($2 billion + $400 million for the Arctic Energy Fund).
  • With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new COVID-19 Resilience stream was created to help communities respond to the immediate pressures and concerns resulting from the pandemic, as well as build resiliency for the future.
  • The Fall Economic Statement 2020 announced a commitment to provide $150 million over three years, starting in 2020-21, to improve ventilation in public buildings and help reduce the risk of aerosol transmission of COVID-19. The ICIP's COVID-19 Resilience stream was allocated $120 million from this commitment, and another $70 million through the Economic and Fiscal Update 2021 to further support ventilation projects in public and community buildings. 
  • Budget 2022 accelerates the deadline for provinces to fully commit the allocations that have been provided to them by March 31, 2023. The program's construction deadline for the program was also extended to October 2033 to support recipients in adapting to the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and to allow for the approval of priority projects under the program.
  • Investments under the COVID-19 Resilience stream support projects within five project categories:
    • Retrofits, repairs and upgrades for municipal, territorial, provincial and Indigenous buildings, health infrastructure and schools;
    • COVID-19 response infrastructure, including measures to support physical distancing;
    • Active transportation infrastructure, including parks, trails, foot bridges, bike lanes and multi-use paths;
    • Disaster mitigation and adaptation projects, including natural infrastructure, flood and fire mitigation, and tree planting and related infrastructure; and
    • Ventilation improvement projects.

Canada Healthy Communities Initiative

Issue / Question

What is the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative (CHCI) and how is it providing support to communities during the pandemic?

Suggested Response

  • The $31 million Canada Healthy Communities Initiative (CHCI) is supporting small-scale infrastructure projects with a big impact as local governments, Indigenous communities and their non-profit partners rethink public spaces and adapt to the impacts of COVID-19.
  • Thousands of applications were received over the course of two application intakes. Successful applicants began receiving funds in April 2021 and are now implementing their projects.
  • The 2021 Fall Economic Statement committed an additional $30 million over three years starting in 2022-23 to the CHCI to continue to help communities mitigate and respond to current and future health risks.

Background

  • Launched on August 13, 2020, the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative (CHCI) originally provided up to $31 million in existing federal funding to support communities as they deploy new ways to adapt spaces and services to respond to immediate and ongoing needs arising from COVID-19 over the next two years.
  • Community Foundations of Canada (CFC) was selected by Infrastructure Canada through an open and competitive call for applications to work directly with communities to identify and fund local projects and solutions to the challenges presented by COVID-19.
  • The original $31 million in funding over two years was provided to CFC to identify and fund local community projects that can be put into place quickly to improve the lives of Canadians. CFC launched their application portal on February 9, 2021, with the first intake having closed on March 9, 2021. A second application intake opened on May 14, 2021 and closed on June 25, 2021. The first funding announcement occurred on March 24, 2021. Funded projects from the first and second application intakes can be viewed on an interactive map.
  • The Program was significantly oversubscribed with thousands of applications received through both project intake rounds (Round 1 and 2 results).
  • The Initiative is supporting projects in communities under three main themes:
    • Creating safe and vibrant public spaces
      • Projects that create or adapt existing public places such as parks, main streets, and indoor spaces that encourage safe cultural or physical activities, and local commerce.
      • Example:  The Municipality of Pond Inlet in Nunavut is implementing a project that will strengthen the local food system by providing residents free access to fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables.  Through the creation of a hydroponics community garden, the municipality will provide an alternative to store-bought food and support the local Mittima Food Bank Society. 
    • Improving mobility options
      • Projects that permit physical distancing through permanent or temporary changes that make it easier for people to get around in their communities, whether walking, biking, accessing public and private transit, or other modes of transportation.
      • Example:  The Thompson (MB) Seniors Community Resource Council's "Let All Seniors Cycle" project is connecting youth with isolated seniors to exercise regularly using specially adapted bicycles for seniors of all abilities.  This includes wheelchair bicycles and electric side-by-side bicycles.  
    • Digital solutions
      • Innovative digital projects that address changing community needs through the use of data and connected technologies. 
      • Example:  The March of Dimes' is expanding its Hi, Tech! program to serve a greater number of people and combat isolation caused by COVID-19.  The program helps people with disabilities learn how to use virtual platforms by removing technological barriers and empowering them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to use virtual tools, enabling access to online services like healthcare and citizen engagement activities, and connections to family and friends.
  • As announced in the 2021 Fall Economic Statement, an additional $30 million over three years was committed to the CHCI starting in 2022-23.  The next phase of CHCI programming is planned for Summer 2022. 

Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund

Issue / Question

What is the current state of the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund?

Suggested Response

  • Since 2018, the Government of Canada has committed almost $3.4 billion through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) to help communities remain resilient in the face of natural disasters triggered by climate change.
  • To date, we have announced over $2.1 billion in funding for 70 projects across the country to mitigate threats of natural disasters such as floods, wildfires and drought.
  • Applications received as part of the latest intake launched in July 2021 are currently being assessed with announcements to come in the following months. This intake guaranteed $138 million for Indigenous-led initiatives.

If Pressed

Timing of Announcements for Latest Intake
  • Projects are currently being assessed against eligibility and merit criteria and selected projects will be announced in the coming months.
Government Investments Post-Budget 2021
  • The Government of Canada is committed to protecting communities across the country from the threats of climate change.

Background

  • The Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) is a direct-delivery, competitive program intended to support public infrastructure projects designed to mitigate current and future climate-related risks and disasters triggered by natural hazards, such as floods, wildland fires, drought, erosion, severe storms and permafrost thaw.
  • Investments in public infrastructure projects through DMAF are also expected to reduce the pressure on Public Safety Canada's Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA).
  • DMAF was first launched 2018, with a funding commitment of $2 billion over 10 years. In Budget 2021,  an additional $1.375 billion over 12 years was announced, including a minimum of $138 million allocated to Indigenous recipients.
  • Originally, DMAF supported large-scale projects only (i.e. minimum of $20 million in total eligible costs). The 2021 program renewal allowed for the introduction of a small-scale stream (i.e. between $1 million and $20 million in total eligible costs).
  • A new intake process was launched on July 20, 2021, with closing dates of October 15, 2021, for large-scale project applications; and November 15, 2021 for small-scale project applications.
  • Assessments against the program's eligibility and merit criteria are ongoing for all projects submitted, including those originating from last fall's flooding locations on a priority-basis.
  • Additional details on eligible recipients and expenses as well as merit criteria can be found here: Infrastructure Canada - Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund: Program details

COVID-19 Resilience Stream

Issue / Question

The new time-limited COVID-19 Resilience stream was introduced to address pandemic challenges across Canada and includes additional funding to support ventilation improvements in public buildings.

Suggested Response

  • The Government of Canada continues to make significant investments to help Canadians recover from the impacts of the pandemic and promote economic growth.
  • The Government of Canada has adapted the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to respond to the impacts of COVID-19. In 2020, $120 million in new funding was added for better ventilation in public buildings to help reduce the risk of aerosol transmission of COVID-19. Now, an additional $70 million will be added to help further the impact of these investments.
  • As of May 4, 2022, 2039 projects have been approved under the COVID-19 Resilience stream, representing a federal investment of $1.9 billion.

Background

  • The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) is an allocation-based program. Provinces and territories, in consultation with municipalities and Indigenous communities, are responsible for identifying, prioritizing and submitting projects, and flowing funds to eligible ultimate recipients.
  • Managed through Integrated Bilateral Agreements, the ICIP was originally divided into four funding streams: Public Transit ($20.1 billion); Green Infrastructure ($9.2 billion); Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure ($1.3 billion); and Rural and Northern Infrastructure ($2 billion + $400 million for the Arctic Energy Fund).
  • With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new COVID-19 Resilience stream was created to help communities respond to the immediate pressures and concerns resulting from the pandemic, as well as build resiliency for the future. The creation of this new funding stream allowed P/Ts to transfer up to 10% of their initial allocations under the ICIP (over $3 billion in existing funding) to fund quick-start, short-term projects that might not otherwise be eligible under the existing funding streams.
  • The Fall Economic Statement 2020 announced a commitment to provide $150 million over three years, starting in 2020-21, to improve ventilation in public buildings and help reduce the risk of aerosol transmission of COVID-19. The ICIP's COVID-19 Resilience stream was allocated $120 million from this commitment, and another $70 million through the Economic and Fiscal Update 2021 to further support ventilation projects in public and community buildings. 
  • Budget 2022 accelerates the deadline for provinces to fully commit the allocations that have been provided to them by March 31, 2023. The program's construction deadline for the program was also extended to October 2033 to support recipients in adapting to the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and to allow for the approval of priority projects under the program.
  • Investments under the COVID-19 Resilience stream support projects within five project categories:
    • Retrofits, repairs and upgrades for municipal, territorial, provincial and Indigenous buildings, health infrastructure and schools;
    • COVID-19 response infrastructure, including measures to support physical distancing;
    • Active transportation infrastructure, including parks, trails, foot bridges, bike lanes and multi-use paths;
    • Disaster mitigation and adaptation projects, including natural infrastructure, flood and fire mitigation, and tree planting and related infrastructure; and
    • Ventilation improvement projects.

Smart Cities Challenge

Issue / Question

The Smart Cities Challenge encourages communities of all sizes, including First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities, to adopt a smart cities approach to improve the lives of their residents through innovation, data and connected technology.

Suggested Response

  • The Government of Canada launched the Smart Cities Challenge in the fall of 2017. The Challenge empowers communities to improve the lives of their residents through innovation, data and connected technology.
  • Municipalities, local and regional governments, and Indigenous communities were invited to participate. The total amount of the four prizes was a combined $75 million.
  • In June 2018, 20 finalists were announced. Four winners were announced in May 2019, and their projects are currently being implemented.
  • The winners are demonstrating the benefits of connected technology and data in achieving outcomes for residents in diverse areas such as establishing Canada's first circular food economy (Guelph/Wellington ON), reducing energy poverty (Bridgewater, NS), implementing harm reduction strategies for Inuit youth (Nunavut communities, NU), and creating local food security and mobility hubs (Montréal, QC).

Background

  • The Smart Cities Challenge was launched in November 2017.
  • An inclusive prize structure was designed: one $50 million prize for communities of all sizes, two $10 million prizes for communities with populations under 500,000, and one $5 million prize for communities with populations under 30,000 people.
  • Infrastructure Canada (INFC) received 130 applications, representing 225 communities from small towns to large cities in every province and territory. A total of 20 applications were received from Indigenous communities, either individually or as part of joint submissions.
  • Twenty finalists were announced in June 2018. Each finalist received a $250,000 grant to support the development of their final proposal.
  • Four winning communities were announced on May 14, 2019 and projects are being implemented:
    • Town of Bridgewater, Nova Scotia ($5 million prize): The project focuses on an Energy Poverty Reduction Program that uses data and connected technology to restore control to residents over their energy costs and infrastructure.
    • City of Guelph and Wellington County, Ontario ($10 million prize): The project focuses on becoming Canada's first circular food economy by creating new circular business opportunities, transforming food waste into a resource, and increasing access to affordable, nutritious food.
    • Nunavut Communities, Nunavut ($10 million prize): The project focuses on strengthening resilience and improving mental health among young Nunavummiut through technology-enabled Makerspaces in various communities across Nunavut.
    • City of Montréal, Quebec ($50 million prize): The project focuses on taking action to address systemic issues of urban life –  enabled by technology – to improve mobility and access to food so that all residents may enjoy a pleasant quality of life where their basic needs are met.
  • A contribution agreement is also in place between INFC and Evergreen who is working with OpenNorth and other partners to provide valuable information, learning opportunities, advisory and capacity building services to Canadian communities. Key areas of focus include smart technologies, data ownership, data management, privacy and security.

Canada Community-Building Fund (formerly the Gas Tax Fund)

Issue / Question

How does the Canada Community-Building Fund support infrastructure projects across Canada?

Suggested Response

  • The Canada Community-Building Fund provides over $2.2 billion per year of predictable, long-term funding that helps communities build and revitalize their public infrastructure.
  • The program reaches over 3,600 communities across the country, and supports approximately 4,000 projects a year in 19 flexible categories.
  • The most commonly funded categories of projects are highways and roads, public transit, and wastewater treatment.
  • The program was topped-up in 2019 and in 2021 – first to help municipalities and First Nations communities facing serious infrastructure deficits and to address short-term priorities, and again in 2021 in response to challenges brought about by the pandemic.
  • In 2022, program funding will return to $2.3 billion, transferred to provinces and territories in two equal payments during the year.

Background

  • The Gas Tax Fund was re-named the Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF) with the adoption of the 2021 Budget Implementation Act on June 29, 2021.
  • The Fund was established in 2005 and originally designed to provide municipalities with $5 billion in predictable funding over five years. The program was extended and legislated as a permanent source of federal infrastructure funding for municipalities in 2014.
  • The renewed Fund is indexed at 2% per year, to be applied in $100 million increments. From 2014 to 2024, the program will provide municipalities with close to $23 billion in infrastructure funding.
  • Two additional top-up payments were allocated in 2019 and 2021, doubling the funds provided to $4.4 billion in those two years.
  • Eligible categories of investment are broad and include public transit, local roads and bridges, drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, community energy systems, culture, recreation, disaster mitigation, fire halls and capacity building.

Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream

Issue / Question

How does Infrastructure Canada support investment in rural and northern communities?

Suggested Response

  • The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program is providing $2.4 billion to address the particular needs of Canada's rural and remote communities under the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure stream, including $400 million through the Arctic Energy Fund.
  • As of May 4, 2022, 567 projects, such as broadband Internet connectivity, roads, and facilities to improve food and energy security, have been approved under the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure stream, representing a federal investment of over $1.5 billion.
  • These investments will support local economies in rural Canada, and help these communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background

  • The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) is an allocation-based program. Provinces and territories, in consultation with municipalities and Indigenous communities, are responsible for identifying, prioritizing and submitting projects, and flowing funds to eligible ultimate recipients.
  • Managed through Integrated Bilateral Agreements, the ICIP was originally divided into four funding streams: Public Transit ($20.1 billion); Green Infrastructure ($9.2 billion); Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure ($1.3 billion); and Rural and Northern Infrastructure ($2 billion + $400 million for the Arctic Energy Fund).
  • With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new COVID-19 Resilience stream was created to help communities respond to the immediate pressures and concerns resulting from the pandemic, as well as build resiliency for the future.
  • The Fall Economic Statement 2020 announced a commitment to provide $150 million over three years, starting in 2020-21, to improve ventilation in public buildings and help reduce the risk of aerosol transmission of COVID-19. The ICIP's COVID-19 Resilience stream was allocated $120 million from this commitment, and another $70 million through the Economic and Fiscal Update 2021 to further support ventilation projects in public and community buildings. 
  • Budget 2022 accelerates the deadline for provinces to fully commit the allocations that have been provided to them by March 31, 2023. The program's construction deadline for the program was also extended to October 2033 to support recipients in adapting to the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and to allow for the approval of priority projects under the program.
  • Under the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure stream, eligible projects must also align to one of the following immediate outcomes:
    • Improved food security
    • Improved and/or more reliable road, air and/or marine infrastructure
    • Improved broadband connectivity
    • More efficient and/or reliable energy
    • Improved education and/or health facilities (specific to Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action)

National Infrastructure Assessment

Issue / Question

The Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities has been mandated to launch Canada's first National Infrastructure Assessment to help identify needs and priorities in the built environment and support long-term planning toward a net-zero emissions future.

Suggested Response

  • The National Infrastructure Assessment will provide an evidence-based and expert-driven assessment of Canada's infrastructure needs over the coming decades to tackle climate change, support our quality of life, and enable our economy to flourish.
  • The Assessment will enable better infrastructure planning and help all orders of government as well as the private sector make more-informed decisions.
  • In response to a call for input in 2021, more than 300 organizations and individuals provided written submissions on how to design the initiative – the  Government is currently considering this advice in establishing the advisory body to lead the work.

Background

  • First announced as part of Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan and funded in Budget 2021, Canada's first ever National Infrastructure Assessment is expected to be completed in 2024-2025 following the development of substantive evidence and extensive engagement with experts and stakeholders.
  • Budget 2021 provided $22.6 million over four years to undertake the initiative.
  • Initial public engagement was completed in summer 2021 on the idea of undertaking the National Infrastructure Assessment and options for its design and mandate.
  • Written submissions were received from over 300 organizations and individuals from across the country, demonstrating significant support for the initiative and a strong interest in establishing the initiative as an evidence-based, open and transparent process with a broad remit to assess Canada's future infrastructure needs and priorities.
  • A high-level report on the advice received was published in July 2021, and is available on the Infrastructure Canada website.
  • With the benefit of having received these views, suggestions, and recommendations, the Government is currently considering next steps for the National Infrastructure Assessment, including the body to lead the work, its mandate and scope of the work involved.

Climate Lens

Issue / Question

Overview of Infrastructure Canada's Climate Lens, a tool to support the consideration of climate impacts into the design of infrastructure projects.

Suggested Response

  • In 2018, we introduced the Climate Lens, a key tool for raising awareness and assessing the climate impacts of infrastructure projects. It applies to all Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program projects above $10 million and to the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund and includes greenhouse gas emissions reductions and climate resilience components.
  • Last year, we made the climate lens more user-friendly, reducing administrative burden while still encouraging improved upstream choices by project planners, designers and decision-makers. We are committed to continually improving how we factor climate into all new Infrastructure Canada programs.
  • For example, the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program embeds climate mitigation and resilience considerations directly into program requirements.
  • The Climate Lens also supports Infrastructure Canada in measuring the contribution of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program towards the Government's overarching climate goal of getting Canada to net-zero emissions by 2050.
  • The Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development has provided recommendations on the Climate Lens and the department is responding by implementing actions as soon as this summer, including the publication of sector-specific guidance and enhanced documentation of the internal review process.

Background

  • On June 1, 2018, the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities announced that, as part of the Investing in Canada Plan, applicants seeking federal funding for new major public infrastructure projects were asked to undertake an assessment, the Climate Lens, to determine how their projects will contribute to or reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to consider climate change risks (e.g., severe weather, floods, sea-level rise, etc.), and risk mitigation measures in the location, design, and planned operation of a project.
  • The Climate Lens assessment is a requirement of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program integrated bilateral agreements, which were signed between Infrastructure Canada and the provinces and territories. It applies to projects with a total estimated cost of over $10 million, as well as any project that deals with climate change resilience or GHG mitigation regardless of cost. The Lens also applies to all projects under the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund.
  • For projects submitted under the climate mitigation and adaptation sub-streams of the green infrastructure stream, Climate Lens assessments need to demonstrate that the projects are respectively reducing GHG emissions, or reducing climate risks. The results of the assessment for all the other streams are intended to provide information about the climate impacts of infrastructure projects and to influence their planning, design and operation so that climate considerations are taken into account.
  • The Climate Lens underwent revisions last year based on stakeholder feedback and lessons learned. The latest version, Climate Lens 2.0, is more user-friendly and reduces paper burden for projects with minimal climate impacts, while continuing to provide proponents with best practices and client-centred guidance.  Proponents need to provide an assessment of typical annual GHG emissions reductions and climate risks at the time of application (deferrals and exemptions are no longer accepted).
  • In the Fall of 2021, the performance of the Climate Lens was audited by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development and the Office of the Auditor General under the Audit Funding Climate-Ready Infrastructure. Although the Audit noted the revised Climate Lens, Version 2.0, was not as robust as the first version, it was overall supportive of the Climate Lens approach. As per the Audit's recommendations, INFC is continuing to improve the Climate Lens by integrating climate considerations directly into project applications, enhancing its review process of climate outcomes and developing user-friendly guidance for applicants.
  • The Climate Lens was developed in close collaboration with Environment and Climate Change Canada, and its development and implementation has involved significant engagement with provinces and territories, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, industry, and environmental stakeholders.

Investing in Canada Plan

Issue / Question

What are the key results to date for the Investing in Canada Plan?

Suggested Response

  • The Investing in Canada Plan is generating economic growth, creating good jobs, and building strong, green, inclusive communities for Canadians to live and work in.
  • We have approved thousands of projects across the country, improving Canadians' access to affordable housing, clean water, trade infrastructure, community centres, and transit systems.
  • Specifically, as of March 2022, over $119 billion of the $188 billion – more than 60% of the total funding – has been allocated to more than 77,000 projects and $67 billion has been paid out.
  • And we have continued to build on the foundation laid by the Plan by making additional, historic investments in infrastructure in recent Budgets.

Responsive on the Auditor General of Canada's audit of the Investing in Canada Plan

  • In response to the Auditor General's report, we worked with our delivery partners to strengthen reporting on the Plan's investments and outcomes.
  • Legacy programs – those programs that were in place when our Government took office – are now fully integrated into the Plan's reporting structure.
  • The reporting framework has been improved to ensure consistent, comprehensive and easy to understand information on the Plan is publicly available.
  • An annual fiscal profile tracking process had been implemented, allowing Infrastructure Canada to understand overall progress on the Plan's past and planned spending.

Background

  • The Investing in Canada Plan (the Plan) is the federal government's long-term infrastructure plan that was announced in Budgets 2016 and 2017. The Plan is a point-in-time snapshot of government-wide investments in infrastructure, and does not include newer infrastructure investments announced in Budgets 2018, 2019 and 2021.
  • The Plan provides a strategic framework to guide the delivery of over $180 billion in federal investments in infrastructure over 12 years and is focused on achieving three key objectives: generating long-term economic growth to build a stronger middle class; improving the resiliency of communities and Canada's transition to a clean growth economy; and enhancing social inclusion and socio-economic outcomes for all Canadians.
  • The Plan comprises $95.6 billion in new funding for infrastructure programs, committed in Budgets 2016 and 2017. Additionally, the Plan delivers $92.2 billion through pre-budget 2016 programs, through funding mechanisms such as the Canada Community-Building Fund (formerly known as the federal Gas Tax Fund) and the New Building Canada Fund.
    • In Budget 2016 (Phase 1), $14.4 billion was made available to accelerate federal investments in the short term by providing funding for the rehabilitation, repair, and modernization of existing public transit, green and social infrastructure, as well as for post-secondary education and broadband access for remote communities. All Budget 2016 programs under the Plan have launched and many have finished.
    • In Budget 2017 (Phase 2), more than $81 billion in new funding was made available to support five priority areas over the next decade: public transit, green, social, trade and transportation, and rural and northern communities' infrastructure. All Budget 2017 programs have launched.
  • As of March 2022, the status of the Plan is as follows:
    • Over $119 billion of the $188 billion has been allocated to more than 77,000 projects and $67 billion has been paid out.
    • 63% of the Plan is committed to approved projects.
    • 50% of the Plan's programs are closed or no longer accepting new projects as project intakes are closed.
  • Infrastructure Canada (INFC) is responsible for the overall coordination and annual reporting on results for the more than 90 programs under the Plan. The department delivers Investing in Canada programming along with 21 federal departments and agencies including Indigenous Services Canada, Natural Resources Canada, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Employment and Social Development Canada and Transport Canada.
  • While each department reports on the specific implementation of their programs under the Plan, INFC is committed to reporting transparently and openly on the progress and results of the Plan.
    • The Implementation Progress and Funding Update table is updated quarterly and provides an accounting of the full $188 billion.
    • Progress on the Plan is reported annually through Infrastructure Canada's Departmental Plan and the Departmental Results Report.
    • A Progress report on the Plan was published in 2019.
    • INFC also reports on the status of its own programming through the Government of Canada's Open Government Portal and through its Departmental Results Report.
  • The Auditor General of Canada tabled a report on the Plan in March 2021, which included the following recommendation:
    • To improve monitoring, tracking, and reporting on progress toward the Investing in Canada Plan's objectives, Infrastructure Canada should work with its federal partner organizations in the plan and with central agencies to determine:
      • How to better measure projects' progress toward the plan's objectives;
      • Which legacy programs are meant to contribute to the plan's objectives and how to report on them; and
      • What information the department needs from federal partner organizations to provide public reporting on the plan that is consistent, comprehensive, and easy to understand.
  • The Government accepted the Auditor General's recommendation. In order to respond to the findings, a Management Action Plan (MAP) was implemented to:
    • Review performance indicators to better measure and report on progress toward the outcomes and objectives of the Plan;
    • Integrate legacy programs into the Plan's reporting structure; and
    • Improve reporting to ensure consistent, comprehensive and easy to understand information on the Plan is publicly available.
  • In response to the report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (PACP) regarding the Auditor General's audit, a Government Response outlining INFC's actions under the MAP will be provided to PACP and tabled in the House of Commons by June 8, 2022.
  • Some programs under the Plan were modified to add additional flexibilities in response to COVID-19. For example, the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative will provide up to $32 million in existing federal funding to support communities as they deploy new ways to adapt spaces and services to respond to immediate and ongoing needs arising from COVID-19.
  • Additionally, a new temporary COVID-19 Resilience stream was created in the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, with over $3 billion available in existing funding, to provide provinces and territories with added flexibility to fund quick-start, short-term projects that might not otherwise be eligible under existing funding streams. The COVID-19 Resilience stream also took action to help communities address COVID-19 specific challenges by providing a larger federal cost share for eligible projects to alleviate financial pressures communities faced from the start of the pandemic.

Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy

Issue / Question

What is the Government of Canada doing to address homelessness?

Suggested Response

  • Homelessness is a complex issue and our government is committed to continuing to work with partners and communities to move towards the goal of eliminating chronic homelessness in Canada by 2030.
  • The Government of Canada has invested approximately $3 billion over 9 years to address homelessness through Reaching Home.
  • As part of Budget 2022, our Government has announced a further investment of $562 million for Reaching Home over two years, starting in April 2024, to support communities in their vital work to prevent and reduce homelessness.

Background

The Government of Canada has invested approximately $3 billion in Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy.

Budget 2022:  On April 7, 2022, the Budget announced:

  • a further investment of $562.2 million over two years through Reaching Home, beginning in 2024-25. This funding, which maintains the funding levels from 2023-24, is aimed at providing longer term certainty for the community organizations doing vitally important work across the country and to ensure they have the support they need to continue to prevent and address homelessness, as well as continue to make progress toward the Government's goal of ending chronic homelessness.
  • $18.1 million over three years, beginning in 2022-23, to conduct research about what further measures are required  to eliminate chronic homelessness. And,
  • committed to eliminating chronic homelessness in Canada by 2030.

Mandate letter priority – Federal Housing Advocate:  The Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion's December 2021 mandate letter included a priority to appoint a Federal Housing Advocate. The role of the Federal Housing Advocate is to promote and protect housing rights in Canada by independently conducting research, consulting with individuals with lived experience of housing need and/or homelessness, working with vulnerable groups and civil society organizations as well as reviewing and assessing submissions on systemic housing issues under federal jurisdiction. Effective February 21, 2022, Marie-Josée Houle was appointed the Federal Housing Advocate, by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, for a three year term.

Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy

As part of the National Housing Strategy, the Government launched Reaching Home in 2019. Reaching Home is a community-based program that provides funding directly to specific communities through the Designated Communities, Indigenous Homelessness, Rural and Remote Homelessness and Territorial Homelessness streams. Financial support is provided to 64 Designated Communities (urban centres), the three territorial capitals, 30 Indigenous communities and rural and remote communities across Canada to support their efforts in preventing and reducing homelessness. It also makes funding available to Indigenous partners to support distinctions-based approaches to homelessness services. The Community Capacity and Innovation stream supports communities with the implementation of Coordinated Access and supports innovation in the sector.

  • Reaching Home in Quebec: the Designated Communities stream and the Rural and Remote Homelessness stream are governed by Canada-Quebec Agreements that reflect the jurisdictions and priorities of both governments. The Indigenous Homelessness stream is administered by Service Canada throughout the province. This stream is not under a Canada-Quebec Agreement.

The main objective of Reaching Home is to streamline access to housing and supports for people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, by coordinating local services to achieve community-wide outcomes using real-time data.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of housing for many Canadians, particularly those who are experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. Access to safe and affordable housing, as well as support services, are prerequisites to participating fully in economic and social life, and to ensuring protection against disease transmission. With the help of emergency funding for the homelessness sector, communities have taken urgent action to try to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among those experiencing homelessness, including efforts to reduce overcrowding in shelters, establish isolation spaces and place individuals in hotels/motels.

During the pandemic, our Government invested a total of $1.3 billion in additional funding for Reaching Home to support communities in addressing the needs of people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. This includes $394.2 million through the COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, $299.4 million in additional investments for
2021-22 announced in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement and $567 million over two years, beginning in 2022-23, announced in Budget 2021. The funding will also support communities in implementing Coordinated Access and associated local data systems (e.g. unique identifier lists) and enhancing the availability of training and technical assistance.

Canada Infrastructure Bank Mandate and Value

Issue / Question

How is the Canada Infrastructure Bank delivering value for Canadians?

Suggested Response

  • The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) is working with all orders of government to deliver more infrastructure for Canadians by attracting private capital to infrastructure projects and using innovative financing tools to reduce the overall burden on taxpayers.
  • The CIB is helping to grow Canada's economy and reach our net zero goals by investing in projects like zero-emission buses, energy efficient building retrofits and clean power transmission, generation and storage with public, private and Indigenous partners.
  • The CIB is supporting the advancement of key projects like High Frequency Rail and helping to find innovative ways to transition Atlantic Canada off coal through clean power transmission.
  • The CIB has become a valued advisor to partner governments, as well as an investing partner, that helps the more complex and transformative projects get built and contribute to better outcomes for Canadians.

Background

  • The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) is expected to work with governments across Canada to attract investment from private and institutional investors, like pension funds, in revenue-generating infrastructure projects that are in the public interest, such as those that support economic growth or transition to net-zero emissions.
  • The CIB is playing an important advisory role and helping to build capacity and to structure complex projects to support all governments in Canada advance their goals, particularly around projects that are bankable, appropriate for attracting private investment and risk transfer, such as larger projects of scale and complexity.   Projects that don't meet these criteria are better suited to grants and contributions.
  • The CIB was created as part of the Investing in Canada Plan in June 2017, and following an announcement in the 2016 Fall Economic Statement that the Government would establish an arm's length organization to work with provincial, territorial, municipal, Indigenous, and private sector investment partners to transform the way infrastructure is planned, funded and delivered in Canada.
  • As part of the Plan, the CIB is mandated to invest $35 billion over 11 years. Of this funding envelope, $15 billion is to be used to catalyze innovative approaches to infrastructure funding. The CIB uses financial instruments including loans, equity, and, where appropriate, loan guarantees to deliver federal support to projects in the public interest to make them commercially viable and crowd-in private investment.
  • The CIB is in the third year of a three year $10 billion Growth Plan launched in 2020 to invest in strategic initiatives such as zero-emission buses, energy efficiency building retrofits, agricultural irrigation, broadband, and clean energy transmission, renewables and storage.
  • To advance the Government's commitment to close the Indigenous infrastructure gap and support the prosperity of Indigenous communities, the Government has set a target for the CIB to invest at least $1 billion in total across its five priority sectors for revenue-generating projects that benefit Indigenous Peoples. The CIB has developed and implemented its Indigenous Community Infrastructure Initiative (ICII), which provides low-cost and long-term debt for Indigenous community-based projects.
  • As of April 2022:
    • CIB is involved in more than 30 infrastructure partnerships;
    • CIB's approved investments of $7.2 billion have attracted $7.6 billion in private and institutional capital; and
    • CIB's approved investments are in projects with a total capital cost of $20.9 billion.
  • Below is a list of some of the investments the CIB has already made by priority sector:
    • Transit
      • Réseau express métropolitain (REM) - $1.28 billion investment by CIB
      • Ottawa Zero-Emission Buses - $400 million commitment by CIB
      • Brampton Zero Emission Buses - $400 million commitment by CIB
      • Edmonton Zero-Emission Buses - $14.4 million investment by CIB
      • BC Zero-Emission School Buses - $30 million investment by CIB
      • Autobus Seguin - $15 million investment by CIB
      • Quebec Zero-Emission School Buses – up to $400 million commitment by CIB.
    • Broadband
      • Manitoba Fibre - $164 million investment by CIB
      • Ontario Rural Broadband - $1.3 billion commitment by CIB
    • Clean Power
      • Enwave District Energy - $600 million investment by CIB
    • Trade and Transportation
      • Alberta Irrigation - $466 million investment by CIB
      • Kahkewistahaw Landing Infrastructure - $15.4 million investment by CIB
    • Green Infrastructure
      • Algoma Steel Retrofit - $220 million investment by CIB
      • SOFIAC - $100 million investment by CIB
      • DREAM – up to $136 million commitment by CIB
      • Toronto Western Hospital Retrofit - $19.3 million investment by CIB
    • Indigenous Infrastructure
      • Tshiuetin Railway - $50 million investment by CIB

Canada Infrastructure Bank Projects and Investments

Issue / Question

Progress of the Canada Infrastructure Bank's projects and investments.

Suggested Response

  • The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) has made significant progress in advancing its goal to attract private and institutional investment in projects and use innovative financing tools to get more infrastructure built for Canadians.
  • The CIB has advanced over 30 signature projects, committed $7.2 billion in CIB capital and attracted $7.6 billion in private and institutional investment to support partnerships and transformative projects.
  • The CIB is making a difference by connecting Canadians, creating good jobs and helping reach our climate goals with projects like Enwave District Energy and Algoma Steel retrofit in Ontario; rural broadband in Manitoba; zero-emission buses across the country; and energy retrofits in Quebec.

Background

  • The CIB has announced a total of 34 projects in its five priority sectors located across Canada (as of April 2022):
    • Public Transit: 8 projects
    • Clean Power: 7 projects
    • Green Infrastructure: 6 projects
    • Broadband : 3 projects
    • Trade and Transportation: 11 projects
    Note: one project counts as both Clean Power and Broadband
  • Building upon the CIB's "2021 Growth Plan," $20.9 billion in total project capital cost has been announced (as of April 2022).
    • $7.2 billion in approved CIB investments  
    • $7.6 billion from Private and Institutional Investors 
    • $6.1 billion from other Public Partners 
  • The CIB's website includes a list of the projects they are currently investing in, with explanations on how the projects are helping Canadians.

Canada Infrastructure Bank Operations

Issue / Question

What are the operating costs of the Canada Infrastructure Bank?

Suggested Response

  • Similar to other Crown corporations, the Canada Infrastructure Bank incurs operating expenses in carrying out its mandate.
  • The Bank's three primary business functions are investment, advisory services and research. The Bank's operating expenses were $28.3 million in 2020-21.
  • The Bank's Board of Directors is responsible for the organization's day-to-day operations, including for ensuring the appropriateness of these expenditures. 

On the CIB's Compensation Framework:

  • The CIB seeks to attract talent with commercial experience and professional skills from the investment and finance industries to develop and execute complex financial structures for infrastructure projects.
  • Its compensation framework reflects best practices of Crown corporations and comparable organizations in the private sector.
  • The CIB's Annual Report, tabled before Parliament, includes information about its compensation policies and expenditures, including performance pay.
  • The Government and the CIB abide by the Privacy Act and Access to Information Act provisions concerning employee compensation. Any information concerning individuals and their compensation is personal information and therefore protected.

Background

CIB Operations

  • The operating expenses of the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) were $28.3 million in 2020-21, compared to $21.7 million in 2019-20. As of December 31, 2021, the CIB had incurred $27.9 million in operating expenses in 2021-22.
  • These costs do not include the CIB's contribution to the Joint Project Office (JPO) that supports the VIA Rail High Frequency Rail project, which was $25 million in 2020-21, compared to $2.9 million in 2019-20.
  • The majority of operating expenses in 2020-21 related to compensation (62%) and professional fees (27%) for external technical, consulting and legal guidance related to due diligence activities.  
  • As of March 31, 2021, CIB had 74 full time employees and as at December 31, 2021, full time employees increased to 81.
  • The CIB provides quarterly financial information on the CIB website.
  • CIB earned revenue on its investments of $21.7 million in 2020-21, compared to $14.2 million in 2019-20. These revenues help offset the cost of the CIB's operating expenses.
  • Since its inception, the CIB's actual appropriations for operating expenses have come in well below planned levels.
  • In 2021-22, CIB is planning for operating expenses of $45.4 million.

CIB Compensation

  • As an arm's length entity, its Board of Directors is responsible for governance and oversight of strategic direction and forward planning, investment decisions and business operations, in alignment with Government of Canada priorities.
  • The CIB's comprehensive human resources strategy and policy framework enables the recruitment and retention of the right mix of skill sets and technical expertise to deliver on its mandate, while ensuring its hiring and compensation practices are competitive, fair and appropriate.
  • Its compensation framework, including the governance, compensation philosophy, structure and competitive positioning, is disclosed via the Annual Report in compliance with requirements for Crown corporations under the Financial Administration Act and applicable Treasury Board policies. Compensation expenses for each fiscal year are also reported in the CIB's annual audited financial statements.
  • Chief Executive Officer (CEO) compensation, which includes ranges for short- and long-term performance incentive awards, is recommended by the Board of Directors based on market comparables and position requirements.
  • All Crown corporation CEOs are subject to the annual performance review process for Governor in Council appointees; performance rating recommendations are provided by the Board of Directors to the designated minister.
  • The Board oversees the compensation of professional staff where the investment and finance functions are remunerated closer to the market for infrastructure investors, including large institutional investors and pension funds that require high degree of expertise and skills.
  • The Chairperson and other directors are provided an annual retainer and are therefore not entitled to receive performance incentives.

Public Private Partnerships

Issue / Question

How can the private sector help advance Canada's infrastructure policy objectives?

Suggested Response

  • P3s are performance-based contracts where private partners collect a revenue stream through user fees or government payments and are paid to not only develop major public infrastructure, but often to operate and maintain it.
  • Under the P3 model, the public sector retains ownership of the asset while benefiting from the experience, expertise and investment of the private sector. The Canada Infrastructure Bank is building on this model by exploring new and innovative partnerships.
  • Successful P3s have shown that private investors bring innovation in the planning and design of a project and discipline in budgeting, scheduling and delivery of an asset. These private sector investors can also take on risks relating to infrastructure usage or revenue.

Background

  • There are a variety of different P3 models that exist. Under a full lifecycle P3 model, the private sector is engaged to design, build, finance, operate and maintain an infrastructure project based on well-defined performance criteria over a fixed term. The public sector retains ownership of the asset.
  • P3s are not for every project. They are one of many tools in the public sector's tool box for delivering and managing major infrastructure projects. P3s work best for large, complex projects that appropriately transfer project risks to the private sector in a manner that delivers positive Value for Money.
  • A Value for Money analysis is a comparison of the present value of the estimated total cost of delivering a public infrastructure project using a traditional delivery model compared to the cost of delivering the project using a P3 delivery model. Using past projects as benchmarks, this analysis requires a detailed assessment of the various risks linked to the asset and identifies who is best placed to manage these risks – the public or private sector.
  • The P3 model was an important building block in the formation of the CIB. The Bank is taking elements of the P3 model further by using revenue and user charges to fund the asset, in whole or in part, and transfer more revenue, usage and ownership risks to the private sector. This allows for equity to be shared with the private sector for a risk-adjusted rate of return.

Waterfront Toronto

Issue / Question

Since 2000, the federal government has partnered with Ontario and Toronto to revitalize Toronto's waterfront. The funding in the Main Estimates is part of the federal government's $416.6 million contribution to the Port Lands Flood Protection Project.

Suggested Response

  • In keeping with our government's priorities, we have contributed close to $1 billion towards the revitalization of Toronto's waterfront and those funds have supported enabling infrastructure, transit upgrades and the creation of new public spaces with significant social, environmental and economic benefits.
  • The Port Lands Flood Protection Project, one of the largest civil works projects underway in North America, is creating flood protected lands and green space for the community and unlocking more land for future development.
  • The governments of Canada, Ontario and Toronto are working together with Waterfront Toronto to develop the infrastructure that communities need now and in the future.

Background

  • In 1999, the City of Toronto, Province of Ontario and Government of Canada jointly committed $1.5 billion ($500 million each) in seed funding for the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative, a plan to revitalize publicly-owned lands along Toronto's central waterfront in support of a planned Olympic bid.
  • Waterfront Toronto was created in 2001 to lead and implement the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative, whose geographical boundaries amount to the transformation of 800 hectares of underutilized brownfield lands along Toronto's central waterfront.
  • The organization was jointly established and continues to be jointly governed by the three orders of government, who have directed two large shared investments to Waterfront Toronto in support of its mandate, including the aforementioned seed funding and $1.25 billion ($416.6 million each) for the ongoing Port Lands Flood Protection Project.
  • The organization is not structurally set up to be financially self-sufficient and its government funding will be exhausted in 2024 after the completion of the Port Lands Flood Protection Project.
  • Waterfront Toronto's initial 25-year mandate is set to expire in May 2028. [redacted]

Samuel De Champlain Bridge Corridor Project

Issue / Question

What is the status of the Samuel De Champlain Bridge Corridor Project and the integration of the Réseau express métropolitain?

Suggested Response

  • The Government of Canada has made significant investments in the Samuel De Champlain Bridge Corridor and work is progressing to soon complete the signature federal infrastructure project in Montréal.
  • The Réseau express métropolitain corridor crossing the Samuel De Champlain Bridge is entering its final stages of construction and will provide new public transit options for the region by connecting the South Shore to downtown Montréal. The first segment is expected in fall 2022.
  • The deconstruction of the old Champlain Bridge is also underway using innovative techniques that aim to protect the environment and allow for the reuse of bridge components. The project is on pace to be completed in 2024.

Background

  • The Samuel De Champlain Bridge Corridor includes the 3.4 km Samuel De Champlain Bridge crossing the St. Lawrence, 500 m Île-des-Sœurs Bridge, reconstruction and widening of the federal portion of Highway 15 over 3 km, and realignment of over 1 km of Highway 10.
  • The project is being delivered as part of a public-private partnership (P3) between the Government of Canada and Signature on the Saint-Laurent Group (SSLG). The P3 includes the design, construction, financing, operation, maintenance and rehabilitation of the Project over a 34-year period (2015-2049) at a cost of $4.212 billion.
  • The Project Agreement is managed through an integrated project team with Infrastructure Canada as the project lead, Public Works and Procurement Canada as the contracting lead, and Justice Canada providing legal support.
  • The Samuel De Champlain Bridge includes six lanes for vehicle traffic, a multi-purpose path supporting active transportation, and a central corridor dedicated exclusively to public transit, in which the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) light rail transit system is being built with CDPQ Infra. The segment of the REM between the South Shore to downtown Montréal that crosses the Samuel De Champlain Bridge is expected to be operational in 2022.
  • REM works are entering their final stages of construction with the ongoing installation of key components such as catenary posts and electrical cables.
  • The project to deconstruct the original Champlain Bridge is managed by Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI). The overall estimated cost of the deconstruction project including the deconstruction work, environmental protection measures, material reuse programs, research and development and the end-of-project shoreline redevelopment component is approximately $400 million. This amount includes $225.7 million for the design-deconstruct contract signed by JCCBI and Nouvel Horizon St-Laurent G.P. Deconstruction work began in August 2020.

Gordie Howe International Bridge Project

Issue / Question

What is the status of the Gordie Howe International Bridge Project?

Suggested Response

  • The Gordie Howe International Bridge Project is advancing and construction is well underway with bridge towers on both sides of the border now visible and standing at over 120 metres high.
  • Now in the fourth of its six-year construction phase, this signature infrastructure project in Windsor-Detroit has employed over 5,218 workers, including support for over 190 local businesses.
  • Canada is working hand-in-hand with the State of Michigan and US and Canadian partners to advance this multi-year mega project to deliver a new international crossing supporting long-term jobs, important supply chains and trade that drives economic growth.
  • Construction has continued through the pandemic and project partners are working towards a scheduled completion of the bridge and new modern ports of entry by the end of 2024.

Background

  • The Gordie Howe International Bridge Project will provide modern facilities and a direct highway-to-highway connection between Highway 401 in Ontario and Interstate 75 in Michigan, facilitating the flow of people and goods at the busiest Canada - U.S. border crossing.
  • The Bridge will be jointly owned by Canada and Michigan, and delivered by Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, a non-agent Crown corporation, through a $5.7 billion, fixed-priced, public-private partnership with Bridging North America. Canada is funding the full amount with costs to be recouped from toll revenues.
  • The project is in its fourth year of a six-year construction period (2018-2024) and construction is well underway for all project components. Once completed the Bridge towers will stand at 220 metres/722 feet. Construction of the buildings on the Ports of Entry on both sides of the border are advancing with foundation work and steel building frames underway. Work is also progressing on the Interstate 75 interchange in Michigan with ramp construction continuing and construction well advanced on three bridges over the I-75.
  • Construction activities are advancing in accordance with government health directives. Bridging North America has implemented comprehensive COVID-19 safety protocols and procedures that include the guidance provided by public health professionals.
  • Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2024. Potential schedule impacts due to COVID-19 are currently being assessed, but it will be several months before impacts are fully known, including how the pandemic has affected supply chains for construction materials and related costs. Solutions to potential delays are being explored with the private partner consortium.
  • The Project is providing significant benefits to local communities through its comprehensive Community Benefits Plan which includes a workforce development component with employment, training, educational opportunities, and an infrastructure component that will make aesthetic and functional improvements to local communities. The Community Benefits Plan also includes opportunities to celebrate the region's history, including the history of the Black community.

Financial Information – Main Estimates – INFC

Issue / Question

Infrastructure Canada (INFC) is seeking total funding of $9.3 billion in the 2022-23 Main Estimates to support the Government of Canada's priorities in investing in public infrastructure.

Suggested Response

  • Infrastructure Canada is seeking $9.3 billion in the 2022-23 Main Estimates:
    • $6.8 billion in grants and contributions to support 20 infrastructure programs;
    • $2.3 billion for the Canada Community-Building Fund;
    • $78 million to operate the Major Bridges, $75.3 million for the Samuel De Champlain Bridge Corridor project and $2.7 million for the oversight of the Gordie Howe International Bridge; and
    • $178.5 million to operate the department.

Background

When compared to previous year Main Estimates:

  • Increase in grants and contributions funding ($2.5 billion) primarily attributed to:
    • the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program ($799 million);
    • new programs announced in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement and Budget 2021 (Green and Inclusive Community Buildings-$435.6 million; Permanent Public Transit Program-$86.1 million; Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy-$498.9 million, and Natural Infrastructure Fund-$68.7 million); and
    • historical programs approaching their end of life cycle such as the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund ($468 million).
  • Increase in statutory funding ($8.4 million) related to the employee benefit plan requirements and the addition of the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion's salary and car allowance;
  • Decrease in capital funding ($52.4 million) related to the sunsetting of funding in 2021-22 for land purchases tied to the Gordie Howe International Bridge and to the Samuel De Champlain Corridor project which is scheduled to complete in late 2022; and
  • Increase in operating funding ($86.3 million) for new programs announced in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement and Budget 2021 as well as the mandated transfer of responsibilities for the Homelessness Policy Directorate from the Department of Employment and Social Development under the responsibility of Minister Hussen.

Financial Information – Main Estimates – JCCBI

Issue / Question

Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI) is seeking $280 million in the 2022-23 Main Estimates, a 14% decrease compared to last year ($325 million).

Suggested Response

  • The decrease in funding is primarily attributable to the review Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI) conducted in 2021-22 of its financial planning approach to better align its reference level with planned investments and the market realities in 2022-23.
  • Funding will ensure JCCBI has the appropriate resources to manage, operate and maintain the Jacques-Cartier Bridge, the Champlain Bridge Ice Control Structure, the Nuns' Island Bypass Bridge, for which deconstruction is planned to begin in 2022, the Melocheville Tunnel and the federal sections of the Honoré Mercier Bridge and of the Bonaventure Expressway.
  • The funding will also enable JCCBI to continue the deconstruction of the original Champlain Bridge.

Background

  • The Jacques-Cartier and Champlain Bridges Inc. (JCCBI) is a Crown corporation that is mandated to manage, operate and maintain the Jacques-Cartier Bridge, the Champlain Bridge Ice Control Structure, the Nuns' Island Bypass Bridge, the Melocheville Tunnel, the federal sections of the Honoré Mercier Bridge and Bonaventure Expressway, to deconstruct the original Champlain Bridge and to provide a safe and efficient public transport system.
  • Significant progress has been made on the deconstruction of the original Champlain Bridge. The deconstruction is now over 5o% complete and continues to be on time and on budget. The other four components of the deconstruction project, which include: environmental measures; material reuse; research and development; and shoreline redevelopment (referred to as "Héritage Champlain"), are all advancing well. The deconstruction of the bridge itself is expected to be completed in January 2024, while the shoreline redevelopment that will begin after deconstruction, is planned to be completed in 2025.
  • JCCBI has worked with the City of Montréal to advance planning of the Bonaventure Expressway Project.
  • JCCBI is seeking $280 million in the 2022-23 Main Estimate ($194.8 million for Operating Budget and $85.2 million for capital budget), a 14% decrease compared to last year ($325 million in 2021-22). JCCBI's 2021-22 Reference Level was reduced by $36 million via the 2022-23 ARLU reprofile and $205,766 through Supps C.
  • JCCBI plans to spend $280 million in 2022-2023 on the continuation of the deconstruction of the original Champlain Bridge and the operation and maintenance of the other structures under JCCBI's responsibility, namely, the Jacques Cartier Bridge, the Champlain Bridge Ice Control Structure, the Melocheville Tunnel, the Nuns' Island Bypass Bridge and its eventual deconstruction, as well as the federal sections of the Honoré-Mercier Bridge and the Bonaventure Expressway.
  • The table below provides a breakdown of the maintenance and capital costs per asset and total cost per project for 2022-23:
    2022-23
    (In millions) Maintenance Capital Total per project
    Jacques Cartier Bridge 20.0 21.5 41.5
    Champlain Bridge Deconstruction 79.1 0.0 79.1
    Honoré-Mercier Bridge 12.6 17.5 30.1
    Melocheville Tunnel 2.6 0.0 2.6
    Bonaventure Expressway 7.6 3.7 11.3
    Estacade (Ice Control Bridge) 1.4 0.0 1.4
    Nuns Island Bypass Bridge 2.3 0.0 2.3
    Total 125.6 42.7 168.3
  • Additional costs for 2022-23 include environmental management, administration, regular maintenance, and professional services.

Financial Information – Main Estimates – WDBA

Issue / Question

Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) is seeking $961.8 million in the 2022-23 Main Estimates, a 1% decrease ($9.8 million) compared to last year ($971.6 million).

Suggested Response

  • Construction continues to progress on all four components of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project, which are the Canadian and U.S. ports of entry, the bridge itself, and improvements to Michigan's Interstate 75.
  • The $961.8 million sought in the Main Estimates will cover Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority operational requirements and the planned progress payments to the private partner.

Background

  • The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) is a Crown corporation that is mandated to carry out the obligations of the Crossing Authority as a party to the Crossing Agreement and to procure, construct, and operate the Gordie Howe International Bridge (GHIB).
  • Significant progress has been made on the construction of the GHIB with the project in Year 4 of construction and the targeted opening date of November 30, 2024. The key bridge components are the Canadian and US Ports of Entry (POE), the Bridge, and the I-75 Michigan Interstate (MI). Bridge towers on both sides of the border are over 120 meters high; POE are under construction; and work is underway on the I-75 MI improvements.
  • The WDBA is seeking $961.8 million in the 2022-23 Main Estimate ($198.3 million for Operating Budget and $763.6 million for capital budget), a 1% decrease compared to last year ($971.6 million in 2021-22).
  • WDBA plans to spend $961.8 million in 2022-2023 to continue to advance the construction of the GHIB project, which primarily includes the payment of earned value progress payments to their P3 partner, as well as all associated WDBA operating costs.