Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Transition Book 2 (2021)
Department and Portfolio Overview

Section 1 – Infrastructure Canada

Mandate

Public infrastructure projects help address a wide array of challenges for communities across the country—ranging from the rapid growth of our cities, to providing transit options to connect Canadians to employment, services, and recreational opportunities, to ensuring broadband access for rural and remote communities, to helping communities cope with climate change and environmental threats to our water and land. Infrastructure Canada (INFC) provides support to help ensure that Canadians across the country benefit from world-class, modern public infrastructure. To this end, the department makes investments, builds partnerships, develops policies, delivers programs and major projects while also considering alternative models to leverage private investment and participation in the planning and delivery of infrastructure in the public interest. 

INFC is a key funding partner for provincial, territorial, municipal, and Indigenous partners. The department delivers and manages a broad spectrum of programming, including the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program ($33.5 billion), Permanent Public Transit funding ($5.9 billion over 5 years, $3 billion annually thereafter), the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund ($3.4 billion), the Green and Inclusive Buildings Program ($1.5 billion), the Canada Community-Building Fund (formerly the Gas Tax Fund, $2.3 billion in 2020-21, indexed annually), and the Natural Infrastructure Fund ($200 million over 3 years) that are open to new project approvals, as well as delivering a dozen other fully allocated programs.

The INFC portfolio includes two of the largest bridge projects in North America; the Samuel De Champlain Bridge Project and the Gordie Howe International Bridge Project. While the Samuel De Champlain Bridge opened to vehicular traffic in early summer 2019, construction is continuing on implementation of the Réseau Express Montréal light rail and to complete work on the corridor. The Gordie Howe International Bridge is a new international crossing between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan, scheduled to open in late 2024.

The department also houses a Rural and Programs Policy directorate under the Communities and Infrastructure Programs (CIP) Branch. This directorate supports the Minister for Rural Economic Development in implementing the Rural Economic Development Strategy. It also provides leadership for strong and resilient rural communities as an integral part of the Canadian economy, by working across departments and agencies (particularly with the Regional Development Agencies for rural community development, and collaborating with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on rural broadband), with other orders of government, and a range of stakeholders. The Rural and Programs Policy directorate has developed a "rural lens” and provides advice for its use to provide a focus on rural needs in the design and delivery of federal programs and service, such as the Rural Transit Solutions Fund as a part of Permanent Public Transit funding.

The Infrastructure Canada portfolio includes responsibilities with respect to four organizations:

The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) is an arm's length Crown corporation that leverages federal dollars to collaborate with public partners and private sector investors to deliver complex revenue-generating infrastructure projects in the public interest. The CIB is mandated to invest $35 billion in Canadian infrastructure projects over an 11-year period ending in 2027-28. The CIB is implementing a 3-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. The CIB is focused on making investments, providing advisory expertise, and building knowledge as a centre of excellence about infrastructure investments. The CIB model is about thinking big and working with other levels of government over the short to long term to deliver more infrastructure for Canadians, and to reduce the burden on taxpayers.

The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) is responsible for the construction and operation of the Gordie Howe International Bridge between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan, which is being delivered through a public-private partnership. The project is also overseen by a binational governance entity known as the International Authority, which has equal representation from Canada and Michigan, and monitors compliance with the Canada-Michigan Crossing Agreement and the Project Agreement with the private partner.

The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI) is responsible for managing, operating and maintaining the Jacques Cartier Bridge, the Champlain Bridge, the Bonaventure Expressway, the federal section of the Honoré Mercier Bridge, the Melocheville Tunnel, the deconstruction of the old Champlain Bridge and the Champlain Bridge Ice Control Structure.

Waterfront Toronto is a tri-governmental organization established under provincial legislation as a not-for-profit entity, responsible for leading and implementing the revitalization of over 800 hectares or nearly 2,000 acres of brownfield waterfront lands in Toronto. Its current major project is the Port Lands Flood Protection project. Through a joint tri-governmental funding commitment of $1.25 billion announced in 2017, this project will unlock 240 hectares of land for development in the underutilized Port Lands district through innovative flood protection engineering and renaturalization of the mouth of the Don River.

Additional information about the portfolio entities can be found in Section 2.

INFC Organizational Information

Unlike many federal departments, INFC has no enabling legislation. The work of the department is governed by a number of enabling acts and regulatory mechanisms. In 2020-21, INFC obtained stable and permanent funding to allow the department to strengthen the stewardship of Canadian infrastructure and meet evolving infrastructure needs in Canada.

Infrastructure Canada's budget in 2021-22 is $9.8 billion, and is comprised of four main elements; namely $128.3 million to support the department's operating functions and the salary of its 906 full-time equivalents (FTEs); $124.7 million allocated to Major Bridges, which is tied specifically to the Samuel De Champlain Bridge Corridor Project and the Gordie Howe International Bridge; $5.1 billion in Grants and Contributions funding, which is used to reimburse claims submitted by recipients; and $4.5 billion in statutory funding for the Canada Community-Building Fund, the Employee Benefit Plan, and Ministerial salary and car allowance.

The department principally operates from the National Capital Region, with the exception of the Samuel De Champlain Bridge Corridor Project team, which operates from Ottawa and Montréal.

Led by the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the department is served by four Assistant Deputy Ministers, one Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, two Director Generals, and one Chief Executive, working in seven functional areas, as outlined below:

Deputy Minister's Office

DEPUTY MINISTER

Kelly Gillis
Deputy Minister

The Deputy Minister's Office (DMO) serves as a single point of contact for Ministers and their offices to ensure horizontal linkages and integration of issues across the department. The Deputy Minister and her advisors provide Ministers and their staff with advice on all business lines of the department.

Kelly Gillis was appointed Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Communities in September 2017. Infrastructure Canada is the Government of Canada department that provides long-term, predictable support to help Canadians benefit from world-class, modern public infrastructure; makes investments, builds partnerships, develops policies, delivers programs, and fosters knowledge about public infrastructure in Canada; and helps address complex challenges that Canadians face every day, ranging from the rapid growth of our cities, to climate change, and environmental threats to our water and land.

Prior to this appointment, Kelly served as Associate Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), and worked to develop Canada's Inclusive Innovation Agenda, to help develop an economy that promotes clean growth, high-quality jobs and increased prosperity.

Previous to this, Kelly held a number of positions within the federal government over the last 20 years, including, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister at Spectrum, Information Technologies and Telecommunications (SITT) Sector and Chief Financial Officer at Industry Canada.

Kelly holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Graduate Diploma in Public Accounting from McGill University and is also a qualified chartered accountant. Kelly is originally from Montréal. She and her husband have three children.

Deputy Minister's Office – Key Contacts

  • Jennifer Eyre – Chief of Staff
  • Justine Reynolds – Infrastructure and Communities Departmental Liaison
  • Line Geerts – Executive Assistant to the Deputy Minister

Policy and Results Branch

BRANCH HEAD

Gerard Peets
Assistant Deputy Minister

The Policy and Results Branch (PRB) identifies and assesses broad infrastructure issues, priorities, needs for potential federal action and also contributes to federal policy development. PRB reviews and assesses strategic infrastructure investments and provides advice on policy and cabinet issues. The Branch is responsible for reporting on results, focusing on data and research to strengthen evidence-based decision-making for all orders of government, and developing a place-based perspective to guide future investments in transit and other infrastructure. PRB is also responsible for delivering the National Infrastructure Assessment.

PRB – Directorates

  • Tim Angus –Director General, Strategic and Sectoral Policy
  • Sean Keenan – Director General, Economic Analysis and Results
  • Julie Insley – Director General, Integrated Regional Planning
  • Robert Judge – Director General, National Infrastructure Secretariat

Communities and Infrastructure Programs Branch

BRANCH HEAD

Alison O'Leary
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister

Erin Lynch
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister

The Communities and Infrastructure Programs (CIP) Branch manages the operations of all INFC programs, including implementing the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program, the Natural Infrastructure Fund, the new suite of transit programming, the Canada Community-Building Fund (formerly the Gas Tax Fund), as well as Legacy Programs. The branch supports infrastructure projects across the country in collaboration with provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous communities and other stakeholders, and provides program-related advice; risk management and analysis; environmental assessments; Indigenous consultation determinations; and program reporting.

The branch is also responsible for rural economic development, which works via a whole-of-government approach to coordinate research, analyze data, and provide advice regarding rural economic development issues. The branch advances strong and resilient rural communities as an integral part of the Canadian economy by working across departments and agencies, with other orders of government, and a range of stakeholders. The branch encourages a focus on rural needs in federal policies and programs.

CIP – Directorates

  • Nathalie Lechasseur – Director General, Program Integration
  • Pascal Girard – Director General, North / Atlantic / Ontario
  • Michèle Ouellette – Director General, Québec / West
  • Mark Matz – Director General, Transit
  • Paul Loo – Director General, Resilient and Inclusive Communities
  • Kirsten Mattison – Director General, Rural / Programs Policy, Planning and Reporting

Investment, Partnerships and Innovation Branch

BRANCH HEAD

Glenn Campbell
Assistant Deputy Minister

The Investment, Partnerships and Innovation (IPI) Branch is a centre of expertise that promotes the use of private capital to finance and implement alternative models of delivering infrastructure in the public interest.

IPI provides policy support for the research, advisory and investment activities of the Canada Infrastructure Bank, and the building and operation of nationally and internationally renowned major bridges.

IPI is responsible for program delivery through the P3 Canada Fund, intergovernmental partnerships through Waterfront Toronto, oversight and support for the Canada Infrastructure Bank, as well as the Gordie Howe International Bridge project in Windsor-Detroit and the Samuel de Champlain Bridge project in Montréal.

The Branch also supports horizontal policy development and monitors developments in the infrastructure finance sector, domestically and globally, in its mission to minimize the burden on Canadian taxpayers.

IPI – Directorates

  • Mary McKay – Director General, Alternative Finance
  • Patrick Kelly – Director General, Major Bridges and Projects
  • Lisa Mitchell – Senior Director, Policy, Partnerships & Engagement
  • Marie-Josée Lambert – Senior Director, Portfolio Management & Governance
  • Shawn Hibbard – Acting Senior Director, Project Finance & Stakeholder Management

Corporate Services Branch

BRANCH HEAD

Nathalie Bertrand
Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer

The Corporate Services Branch (CSB) provides advice, support and services relating to INFC corporate functions, including procurement, human resources, finance, security, planning and administration, accommodations, information management, information technology, and anti-racism, equity and inclusion.

CSB – Directorates

  • Michelle Baron – Director General, Finance and Administration
  • Sylvain Campeau – Director General, Human Resources
  • Joann Shields – Chief Information Officer and Director General, Information Management and Information Technology
  • Michelle Seymour – Director Anti-Racism, Equity and Inclusion

Communications

BRANCH HEAD

Stephan Belanger
Director General

The Communications Branch provides advice, planning, and delivery of communications activities and products that support the department's mandate and that inform Canadians on progress and results of federal investments in infrastructure.

Audit and Evaluation

BRANCH HEAD

Isabelle Trépanier
Chief Executive Audit and Evaluation

The Audit and Evaluation Branch provides independent, evidence-based analysis and insight to senior management on departmental risks and operations to support the effective and efficient achievement of results for Canadians, fostering continuous improvement. The Branch is led by Isabelle Trépanier, Chief Audit and Evaluation Executive, who fulfills the dual role of Chief Audit Executive and Head of Evaluation for the department, and oversees the Internal Audit and Evaluation Directorates.

The Internal Audit Directorate helps INFC accomplish its objectives by bringing an independent, systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, internal control and governance processes. The Evaluation Directorate provides credible and neutral information on the ongoing relevance, impact and efficiency of the department's programs and initiatives to inform evidence-based decision making on policy, expenditure management and program improvements, thus supporting departmental accountability.  The Branch is also the department's liaison with the Office of the Auditor General of Canada with respect to performance audits and environmental petitions.

Corporate Secretariat

BRANCH HEAD

Karl El-Koura
Director General, Corporate Secretariat

The Corporate Secretariat supports the department by providing advice and services in the areas of parliamentary affairs, access to information and privacy, Ministerial coordination and trips, executive correspondence, portfolio coordination, and internal governance.

The Corporate Secretariat manages the MINO Admin mailbox that can be used by Ministerial staff to submit questions related to human resources, IT and IM, accommodations, security, and other administrative matters.

Constituting Legal Authorities and Agreements

Minister's legal title

Department name

Departmental legal authority

  • There is no departmental statute/legislation
  • Legal authority derives from an OiC P.C. 2004-0325 providing:

Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, hereby authorizes the appropriate Minister, within the meaning of section 2 of the Financial Administration Act, for the Office of Infrastructure of Canada, a department set out in column I to Schedule I.1 of that Act, to enter into transfer payment agreements and contracts related to infrastructure initiatives in Canada.

Sur recommandation du premier ministre, Son Excellence la Gouverneure générale en conseil autorise le ministre compétent - au sens de l'article 2 de la Loi sur la gestion des finances publiques - du Bureau de l'infrastructure du Canada, ministère mentionné à la colonne I de l'annexe I.1 de cette loi, à conclure des accords de paiement de transfert et des contrats pour toute initiative en matière d'infrastructure au Canada.

Funding programs

Bridges

Transfers from the Department of Transport to the Office of Infrastructure of Canada the control and supervision of the bridges, OiC P.C. 2014-0144

Portfolio Organizations – Crown corporations / other entities:

Crown corporations:

Other shared governance entity:

  • Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation (TWR)
    • Designation of the Minister to represent Her Majesty in right of Canada for the purposes of the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation Act, OiC P.C. 2015-1240
    • Designation of the Minister for matters relating to the activities of the federal government with respect to Waterfront Toronto and includes the power to enter into transfer payment agreements and contracts for the acquisition of services, OiC P.C. 2015-1239
    • Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation Act, S.O. 2002, c.28

Section 2 – Portfolio Organizations

The Minister of Infrastructure and Communities has responsibilities over four arm's length organizations:

  • The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB)
  • The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA)
  • The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI)
  • Waterfront Toronto

Each organization has a unique mandate and organizational structure. In accordance with their enabling legislation, the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities exercises varying degrees of responsibility for the organizations within the portfolio.

More detailed information on each portfolio organization follows.

Canada Infrastructure Bank

LEADERSHIP

Tamara Vrooman
Chair of the Board of Directors

Ehren Cory
Chief Executive Officer

CORPORATE INFORMATION

Organization Type: Crown Corporation (FAA, Sched. III, Part I)

Incorporation: Canada Infrastructure Bank Act

Year Incorporated: 2017

Head Office: Toronto, ON

Website: www.cib-bic.ca

MANDATE, MISSION AND DESCRIPTION

The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) is a Crown corporation that reports to Parliament through the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.

The CIB is leveraging $35 billion to attract private capital and co-invest with private-sector and institutional investors in new, revenue-generating infrastructure. The CIB is expected to manage to a maximum fiscal expense of $15 billion.

Building on Canada's strong Public-Private Partnership model, the CIB was established to ensure that Canadians benefit from modern and sustainable infrastructure through partnerships between governments and the private sector. It does this through its core responsibilities to provide advisory services, undertake research and invest in projects that leverage private and institutional capital to deliver infrastructure that achieves public outcomes and value for taxpayers.

Working cooperatively with provincial, territorial, municipal, federal, Indigenous and private sector investor partners, the Bank aims to transform the way infrastructure is planned, funded and delivered in Canada by:

  • engaging private sector partners early in the planning and design process;
  • advancing revenue-based business models, where appropriate; and
  • exploring new and innovative approaches to project finance and delivery.

GOVERNANCE

The CIB's Board is responsible for the organization's ongoing governance and supervision of its business, final investment decisions, and forward-planning and strategic direction, in line with the Government of Canada's priorities.

The CIB's Board is composed of the Chairperson and no fewer than eight but no more than eleven directors, and each is to be appointed by the Governor in Council.

Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority

LEADERSHIP

[redacted]

Dwight Duncan
Chair of the Board of Directors

Bryce Phillips
Chief Executive Officer

CORPORATE INFORMATION

Organization Type: Crown Corporation (FAA, Sched. III, Part I)

Incorporation: Established by Letters Patent pursuant to subsection 29(1) of International Bridges and Tunnels Act; P.C. Order-in-Council 2012-1350

Year Incorporated: 2012

Head Office: Windsor, ON

Website: www.gordiehoweinternationalbridge.com

MANDATE, MISSION AND DESCRIPTION

Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) is a Crown corporation that reports to Parliament through the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.

WDBA is responsible for the delivery of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan, through a public-private partnership (P3). As one of the largest P3 projects in North America, the project comprises a six-lane cable-stayed bridge between Windsor and Detroit; a Canadian Port of Entry; a U.S. Port of Entry; and an interchange connecting the U.S. Port of Entry to Interstate 75 (I-75).

The WDBA is responsible for project oversight of the construction and the operation of the new crossing. As the operator of the new bridge, WDBA will set and collect all tolls.

The project is a vital investment in the Canadian economy, and will facilitate increased trade capacity between Canada and the United States by providing redundancy and highway-to-highway connectivity at Windsor-Detroit – the busiest commercial land border crossing between Canada and the United States.

GOVERNANCE

The WDBA Board is responsible for overseeing the business activities, forward planning and strategic direction as aligned with the Government of Canada's priorities.

The WDBA's Board is composed of the Chairperson, the CEO and up to seven directors. The directors are appointed by the Minister with the approval of the Governor in Council (GiC). The Chairperson and the CEO are appointed by the GiC.

In addition, the International Authority is a joint Canada-Michigan governance entity responsible for monitoring compliance of WDBA with the Crossing Agreement signed by Canada and Michigan. The International Authority consists of six members with equal representation from Canada and Michigan. Two members are appointed by Canada, one appointed by WDBA and three appointed by Michigan.

Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated

LEADERSHIP

[redacted]

Catherine Lavoie
Chair of the Board of Directors

[redacted]

Sandra Martel
Chief Executive Officer

CORPORATE INFORMATION

Organization Type: Crown Corporation (FAA, Sched. III, Part I)

Incorporation: Canada Business Corporations Act

Year Incorporated: JCCBI was established on November 3, 1978, and was a wholly owned subsidiary of the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority until 1998 when it became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Federal Bridge Corporation Limited. In 2014, JCCBI became a parent Crown corporation reporting to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.

Head Office: Longueuil, QC

Website: www.jacquescartierchamplain.ca

MANDATE, MISSION AND DESCRIPTION

The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI) is a Crown corporation that reports to Parliament through the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.

It oversees the management, maintenance and rehabilitation of two bridges and their approaches, namely the Jacques Cartier Bridge and the federal portion of the Honoré Mercier Bridge, while also being responsible for the deconstruction of the original Champlain Bridge. It is also responsible for three related infrastructures, namely the federal section of the Bonaventure Expressway, the Champlain Bridge Ice Control Structure and the Melocheville Tunnel. These structures play a vital role in the regional transportation system and economy.

The JCCBI's mission is to ensure the mobility of users, the safety and the longevity of infrastructure using a systematic approach based on sustainable development.

The Corporation plays a vital role in the daily life of thousands of users whose modes of transportation are constantly evolving. As an island city, Montréal depends on bridges to ensure the passage and mobility of goods and people.

GOVERNANCE

The JCCBI Board is responsible for the organization's ongoing governance and supervision of its business, final investment decisions, and forward-planning and strategic direction, as aligned with federal priorities.

The JCCBI's Board is composed of the Chairperson, the CEO and up to five directors. The directors are appointed by the Minister with the approval of the Governor in Council (GiC) and the Chairperson, and the CEO are appointed by the GiC.

Waterfront Toronto

LEADERSHIP

Stephen Diamond
Chair of the Board of Directors

George Zegarac
Chief Executive Officer

CORPORATE INFORMATION

Organization Type: Tri-Government Organization

Incorporation: Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation Act

Year Incorporated: Established in 2001

Head Office: Toronto, ON

Website: www.waterfrontoronto.ca

MANDATE, MISSION AND DESCRIPTION

Waterfront Toronto (formerly the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation) is a tri-governmental organization. It was established in 2001 and continued under provincial statute in 2003 following the commitment of $500 million each in seed funding by the Governments of Canada, Ontario, and Toronto.

Waterfront Toronto has a 25-year mandate (2003-2028) to transform 800 hectares of brownfield lands on Toronto's waterfront into beautiful, inclusive and sustainable communities and dynamic public spaces. Ongoing projects include the $1.25 billion Port Lands Flood Protection project, jointly funded by all three levels of government and one of the largest infrastructure projects in North America. Other key initiatives include the privately-procured Quayside Development Opportunity, which is set to transform 12.5 acres of post-industrial lakefront land into a dynamic, inclusive and resilient new community.

GOVERNANCE

Waterfront Toronto's oversight and strategic direction is provided through three forums: an independent Board of Directors, an Intergovernmental Steering Committee composed of high-ranking government officials, and the Port Lands Executive Steering Committee.

Waterfront Toronto's Board of Directors is composed of a Chairperson and 12 other members – four each appointed by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, and the City of Toronto. The Minister of Infrastructure and Communities is responsible for appointing up to four federal directors to the board through Ministerial appointment processes.

The Chairperson of the board is selected from the existing board composition, and can be chosen either through tri-governmental agreement or through majority board vote, as permitted by the corporation's enabling legislation. In the case of tri-governmental agreement, all three partners must appoint the chosen Chairperson through their formal appointment processes to give effect to the Chair's term. Waterfront Toronto issues both an Annual Report and an Integrated Annual Report and solicits tri-governmental feedback for both, however neither one requires federal approval.