We are pleased to present Infrastructure Canada’s Departmental Plan for 2020-21. This plan outlines Infrastructure Canada’s continuing commitment to building sustainable, resilient communities across Canada – communities that have clean water and air; that provide good jobs and contribute to the economy; and that can withstand the impacts of climate change.

As we enter a new decade with new challenges and opportunities, the Department is continuing to work in partnership with provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous communities and other stakeholders to invest in the infrastructure that Canadians need to thrive.

Infrastructure Canada has made tremendous progress in implementing the historic Investing in Canada plan, our long-term plan for infrastructure. Programs such as the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, the federal Gas Tax Fund, the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, and the Smart Cities Challenge are all delivering results for Canadians across the country. The Canada Infrastructure Bank has invested more than $3 billion and delivered advisory services on eight transformative projects in various urban and rural regions of the country. Since the Plan was launched, over 52,000 projects have been announced government-wide, with federal contributions of approximately $57.5 billion. Almost all of these projects are either started or completed.

In Quebec and Ontario, the Department is continuing to deliver on its major bridge projects: the Samuel De Champlain Bridge Corridor fully opened to traffic in July 2019 and the multi-use corridor pathway with year-round access for cyclists and pedestrians opened in December 2019; construction is underway and progressing well on the Gordie Howe International Bridge. The Department will continue providing oversight to its Crown corporations, Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, and the Canada Infrastructure Bank, and will lead on federal matters relating to the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative.

To help build on the successful work we have done to date and support major nation-building projects that inspire and connect Canadians, we will create a new National Infrastructure Fund that will open up new economic opportunities throughout Canada and connect our country in new and transformative ways. We will also create and deliver a fund that will support infrastructure projects and economic diversification for communities transitioning from fossil fuels. New, resilient infrastructure will continue to play a critical role in tackling climate change as we prepare a new call for proposals under the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, to benefit communities large and small. We will also implement public transit initiatives across the country and guide communities’ investments towards zero-emission buses and rail systems.

To help communities make sound decisions about managing and planning for infrastructure projects, the Department will continue to support municipal capacity-building through programming delivered through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. The Department will also continue its work with Statistics Canada to develop and publish data on the stock and condition of infrastructure in Canada. This will ensure that the country’s public infrastructure meets the economic, social, and environmental needs of Canadians in urban and rural areas.

We will continue to implement the Rural Economic Development Strategy, which will encourage new opportunities and economic growth in rural areas and address the diverse challenges that rural Canadians face, whether they live in the North, in coastal or agricultural communities. In particular, working directly with rural communities to address barriers to timely delivery of infrastructure investments, investments in high-speed internet connectivity and partnership with other departments will better position rural Canada for success in the digital economy. Our Investing in Canada plan includes a dedicated stream for Rural and Northern Communities to ensure that every Canadian feels its benefits.

Infrastructure Canada will work with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples through investments in public infrastructure. We will move forward with projects to help address critical needs, such as housing, all-weather roads, high-speed internet, health facilities, treatment centres, and schools in these communities, as well as cultural and recreational infrastructure that benefits Indigenous peoples.

The Government of Canada recognizes that infrastructure investments are the foundation for Canada’s long-term economic growth and a better quality of life for all Canadians, and we are proud to deliver programs and policies that directly impact Canadians across the country. We encourage you to read this plan to learn more about our key priorities and how we are working to improve the lives of all Canadians.

The Honourable Catherine McKenna, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

The Honourable Maryam Monsef, P.C., M.P.
Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development