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  1. Relationship between Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, Build Canada Homes and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
  2. Gordie Howe International Bridge Project Status
  3. Canada Infrastructure Bank Mandate and Value

Relationship between Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, Build Canada Homes and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Issue / question

How is the Government of Canada coordinating its efforts across departments and agencies to address the housing crisis and increase affordable housing supply?

Suggested response

  • This government is taking coordinated action to address the housing crisis.
  • Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada is the federal lead for housing and homelessness policy and program development, ensuring alignment across all programs and portfolio partners.
  • Build Canada Homes is Canada’s new federal agency that will build and finance affordable housing at scale, while catalyzing a more productive homebuilding industry by generating demand for new and innovative building methods.
  • In parallel, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation will continue to contribute to the well-being of Canada’s housing system through existing programs such as the Apartment Construction Loan Program and mortgage loan insurance products.

Background

  • Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) is the federal lead for housing and homelessness policy and program development, ensuring alignment across programs and portfolio partners.
  • On September 14, 2025, Build Canada Homes launched as a Special Operating Agency within HICC. Build Canada Homes is Canada’s new federal agency that will build and finance affordable housing at scale, while catalyzing a more productive homebuilding industry.
  • Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) will continue to deliver on its mandate to contribute to the well-being of Canada’s housing system through existing initiatives such as the Apartment Construction Loan Program and mortgage loan insurance products.
  • CMHC will also continue delivering its existing affordable housing programs, such as the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF), until current funding envelopes are fully allocated.
    • Proponents with existing AHF projects or recently submitted proposals will continue to work with their contact at CMHC as Build Canada Homes ramps up. Both organizations will work closely to ensure that all proposals to increase the supply of affordable housing are considered.
    • In combination with the recent $1.5 billion top-up to the AHF, this will ensure ongoing funding for new affordable housing during the transition to Build Canada Homes.
  • Finally, CMHC will continue to support Canada’s market housing sector by providing valuable market insights and industry research.
  • Ministerial responsibility for Canada Lands Company has been transferred to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure.
  • This move enables Build Canada Homes to leverage Canada Lands Company’s land holdings, real estate development expertise, and strong relationships with municipalities, builders, not-for-profits, and Indigenous communities to accelerate the delivery of affordable housing across the country.
  • Build Canada Homes will have access to the federal government’s land portfolio, including 88 federal properties suitable for housing listed on the Canada Public Land Bank.

Gordie Howe International Bridge Project Status

Issue / question

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

Suggested response

  • Construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge is effectively complete with opening expected as early as spring 2026 once all safety tests are complete and border agencies are fully ready. Canada will continue to engage United States federal counterparts to support a smooth and timely transition to operations.
  • The project represents a major success for Canadian workers and industry. About 75% of the project's steel is Canadian, and more than 6,000 skilled Canadian workers contributed to the build.
  • The bridge is a long-term investment that will help keep our economy strong and will secure a vital trade corridor that supports over $250 billion in commerce every year.

If pressed on trade impacts:

  • We know that cross-border traffic has been fluctuating in recent months. Once the bridge is operational, we’ll have a much clearer picture of how factors like tariffs and trade dynamics are affecting traffic volumes and revenues.

Background

  • The Gordie Howe International Bridge Project (GHIB) will provide modern facilities and a direct highway-to-highway connection between Highway 401 in Windsor, Ontario and Interstate 75 in Detroit, Michigan, facilitating the flow of people and goods at the busiest Canada – United States (U.S.) border crossing. The Bridge is jointly owned by Canada and Michigan and delivered by the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) through a public-private partnership with Bridging North America. Canada is funding the full amount of the project with costs to be recouped from future toll revenue.
  • Initially estimated to be $5.7 billion with a completion date of November 2024, disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in delays and increased costs. The new contract value is estimated at $6.4 billion with opening as soon as spring 2026, subject to completion of system testing and cross-border coordination.
  • Construction of the GHIB is effectively complete, and the Project has moved into the final phase of commissioning, testing, and operational readiness.
  • Toll rates, established by WDBA through an evidence-based process, informed by market research and cost-recovery requirements are expected to be announced early March 2026 alongside the launch of WDBA’s loyalty program (Breakaway). While recent trends suggest a decrease in cross-border traffic, it’s too soon to say whether revenues will be affected. Once the bridge is operational, there is expected to be clearer data on how factors like tariffs influence traffic volumes and revenue on the bridge. [Redacted]
  • The GHIB will be one of the most advanced and secure border facilities in North America, incorporating the latest technologies in surveillance, screening, and traffic management. Both the Canadian and American Ports of Entry are being built to meet current and future security demands, enhancing the ability to detect and prevent illegal crossings, contraband, human trafficking and other threats. Co-location of federal inspection agencies will enable faster, more coordinated, and secure processing of both commercial and passenger traffic.
  • The Project is significantly benefiting local communities through its comprehensive Community Benefits Plan, which includes employment, training, and educational opportunities, as well as aesthetic and functional improvements to local communities in the Windsor-Detroit area. Since 2018, the project has employed more than 14,000 workers (Canada and U.S.) and supported over 290 local businesses.

Gordie Howe International Bridge Opening

Issue / question

Will the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project be blocked or delayed?

Suggested response

  • Canada remains fully committed to opening the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a landmark Canada–United States (U.S.) project in a vital economic corridor supporting one of the busiest trade routes in North America.
  • With construction now effectively complete, the Project has moved into the final phase of testing, systems integration, and operational readiness. The bridge is on track to open as early as spring 2026.
  • This is a binational project of strategic importance to both countries, and it is in the clear economic interest of Canada and the U.S. that it proceed to operations as planned.
  • Canada will continue to engage U.S. federal counterparts to support a smooth and timely transition to operations, in the shared interest of workers, businesses, and supply chains on both sides of the border.

Background

  • On February 9, 2026, President of the United States Donald J. Trump, posted a statement on social media criticizing the Gordie Howe International Bridge (GHIB) project, and threatened to prevent its opening, citing inaccurate claims regarding ownership and governance.
  • The following day, Prime Minister Carney reaffirmed that the GHIB is a jointly developed, binational project co owned with Michigan under longstanding Canada–United States (U.S.) agreements and remains on track for a 2026 opening. Governor of Michigan Gretchen Whitmer, similarly underscored the Bridge’s economic importance to Michigan, confirming the expectation that it proceed as planned.
  • Canada is financing the approximately $6.4 billion project under a cost-recovery model, with toll revenues repaying Canada’s investment before net revenues are shared equally with Michigan. While Canada is the sole funder, the bridge is jointly owned, with both Canada and Michigan retaining ownership and jurisdiction over the infrastructure within its respective territory.
  • Construction of the GHIB is effectively complete, and the project has moved into the final phase of commissioning, testing, and operational readiness. The bridge could open as early as spring 2026, subject to completion of system testing and cross-border coordination.
  • The opening and operation of GHIB requires the cooperative efforts of multiple agencies and regulatory authorities on both sides of the border. [Redacted]
  • The neighboring, privately owned Ambassador Bridge has long opposed the Project, [redacted]. The Windsor-Detroit corridor handles billions in annual trade, and both bridges are critical for redundancy to prevent disruptions like past blockades or congestion issues. [Redacted]
  • The GHIB will be one of the most advanced and secure border facilities in North America, incorporating the latest technologies in surveillance, screening, and traffic management.
  • Both the Canadian and American Ports of Entry are being built to meet current and future security demands, enhancing the ability to detect and prevent illegal crossings, contraband, human trafficking and other threats. Co-location of federal inspection agencies will enable faster, more coordinated, and secure processing of both commercial and passenger traffic.

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) helps move forward large, complex infrastructure projects that are in the public interest, investing in key areas of the Canadian economy such as housing-enabling infrastructure, clean energy, trade and transportation corridors, and infrastructure in Indigenous communities.
  • It stretches public dollars further by investing federal funds in projects that generate returns and attract significant private and institutional capital. That means projects get built sooner with less impact on taxpayers.
  • To date, the CIB has committed $18.1 billion toward 108 projects representing a total capital value of $55 billion—demonstrating clear progress and real, measurable value for Canadians.

If pressed on governance and CEO reappointment

  • The CIB is an arm’s length Crown corporation, with an independent Board of Directors responsible for overseeing operations, making investment decisions, and ensuring the Bank operates within its mandate.
  • Ehren Cory has led the Bank since 2020 and has a strong track record of strengthening its performance and impact. Under his leadership, the CIB has expanded its portfolio of investments and is delivering real results across the country.

Background

  • The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) was established in 2017 to work with stakeholders across Canada to attract investment from private and institutional investors in revenue-generating infrastructure projects that are in the public interest, such as those that support economic growth, trade, and Canada’s housing supply.
    • It has received statutory funding of $35 billion, with a net fiscal expense of $15 billion to support innovative approaches to infrastructure funding, for instance, by offering below market rates or subordinated terms, and to cover the Bank’s operating costs.
    • It 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 operates independently from the federal government in its day-to-day operations and investment decisions. It is governed by a Board of Directors, which is responsible for overseeing the Bank’s strategic direction, approving investments, and ensuring compliance with its legislative mandate under the Canada Infrastructure Bank Act. 
  • The CIB was investing in five priority sectors with the following targets: Public Transit ($5 billion), Green Infrastructure ($10 billion), Trade and Transportation ($5 billion), Broadband ($3 billion), and Clean Power ($10 billion). Across these priority sectors, the CIB has already invested over $1 billion in 33 projects benefiting Indigenous communities, surpassing the original target of $1 billion set by the Government of Canada.
  • In February 2026, the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure issued a Statement of Priorities and Accountabilities (SPA) to the CIB. The SPA provides guidance and expectations to the Bank on how it should implement its mandate and the government’s overall policy direction. The SPA asked the CIB to invest in four priority sectors with the following targets (conditional on Parliamentary approval of the Capital increase):
    • Enabling infrastructure that unlocks housing supply ($10 billion);
    • Transportation and trade-enabling infrastructure ($15 billion);
    • Clean energy ($20 billion); and
    • Artificial Intelligence and digital infrastructure ($5 billion).
  • Across these priority sectors, the Bank was also asked to invest in cross-cutting initiatives, such as Arctic and northern infrastructure and Indigenous Infrastructure ($3 billion target).
  • Budget 2025 announced the government’s intention to increase the CIB’s capital envelope from $35 billion to $45 billion, which would allow the CIB to accelerate investment in high-impact infrastructure projects aligned with national priorities. The budget also called on the Bank to make significant new investments by prioritizing nation-building projects referred to the Major Projects Office and by investing in projects funded under new programs, including the Trade Diversification Corridors Fund, the Arctic Infrastructure Fund, the First and Last Mile Fund, and the Build Communities Strong Fund.
  • The CIB plays an important advisory role. It helps build capacity and structure complex projects to support all levels of government in Canada in advancing their goals, particularly those that are bankable and appropriate for attracting private investment and risk transfer.
  • As of December 31, 2025:
    • 108 investments have reached financial close, which include 11 completed projects, and 89 in active construction;
    • CIB’s investments of $18.1 billion have attracted more than $25.2 billion in private and institutional capital; and
    • CIB’s investments are in projects with a total capital cost of $55 billion.
  • The Bank is accountable to Parliament through the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, ensuring that its work aligns with Canada’s broader goals. The Minister’s responsibility includes:
    • Reviewing and recommending the approval of the CIB’s corporate plans;
    • Recommending appointments to the Board of Directors and the CEO, subject to Governor in Council approval; and
    • Issuing policy direction, if necessary, to ensure alignment with broader government priorities.
  • The CIB’s governance structure is designed to balance independence in investment decision-making with appropriate public oversight and transparency. The Bank publishes information about its investments and performance on its website and through its annual reports.

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