2022-23 Infrastructure Canada Departmental Plan
Plans at a glance

As we finish the fight against COVID-19, Canadians have given the government clear direction to take bold, concrete action to build a healthier, more resilient future. To this end, Infrastructure Canada will continue to work with all orders of government, Indigenous communities and other partners to enable investments in public transit, social, green and other core public infrastructure. Our goal is to achieve meaningful results that will improve Canadians’ quality of life and support a cleaner and healthier environment for communities, becoming more inclusive, accessible and sustainable while also supporting the economy and creating jobs. We will do this with transparency, to promote accountability and provide information to Canadians on what we are doing. Our focus includes:

Mitigating impacts of natural disasters and investing in climate-ready infrastructure for Canadians to be able to adapt and build resilience to climate change

Infrastructure Canada will continue to deliver climate-ready, resilient infrastructure and mitigate disasters through new programs such as the Natural Infrastructure Fund (NIF). It will also continue to deliver programs, such as the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF), the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), and the Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF).

The NIF will support the implementation of climate-ready and cost-effective natural infrastructure solutions, contextually designed and responsive to a changing climate. NIF will increase climate resilience across the country by supporting the structural integrity of infrastructure and the long-term protection of vital community functions.

Continuing to improve the resilience of infrastructure to climate change, the DMAF supports projects designed to mitigate and adapt to current and future climate-related risks and disasters triggered by natural hazards, such as floods, wildland fires, droughts and seismic events. The COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream and the $9.2-billion Green Infrastructure Stream, as part of the ICIP, also support disaster mitigation and adaptation projects, with the latter created to support provinces and territories through projects that build structural and natural capacity that is allowing them to adapt to climate change, natural disasters, and extreme weather events.

Infrastructure Canada also continues to support communities through the CCBF (formerly known as the Gas Tax Fund), which provides permanent funding to provinces and territories to support municipalities in local infrastructure priorities including disaster mitigation.

In addition, the Department will deliver several initiatives to build climate-resilient infrastructure. For example, Infrastructure Canada is supporting the development of evergreen Climate Toolkits, which are tailored packages of climate-related resources intended to help infrastructure owners and investors develop projects that ensure Canada is on the path to a net-zero emissions and resilient future. This includes mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with the help of calculation guidelines and building resilience while incorporating low-carbon technologies, decision-makers, practitioners and citizens. At the same time, the Department will continue to use the Climate Lens assessment tool, which promotes the consideration of climate risks and GHG emissions in the design and planning process of new infrastructure for applicable projects under the ICIP and the DMAF. Infrastructure Canada will continue its work to increase the awareness and uptake of climate considerations of projects across all communities in Canada.

When it comes to collaborating on resilient infrastructure, Infrastructure Canada is contributing to a National Adaptation Strategy (NAS), which is developing a shared vision for climate resilience in Canada by the end of 2022 and will include clear targets and indicators to assess collective progress on adaptation. Infrastructure Canada’s work will focus on resilient natural and built infrastructure. Additionally, the Department will work with the National Research Council (NRC) to create a Climate Resilient Built Environment (CRBE) strategy. Together, they will help disseminate tools, guidance and knowledge across Canada, and collaborate with internal organizations to develop international standards. Their collaboration will focus on public transit, nature-based solutions for flood mitigation, buildings, roads, water/wastewater, bridges, urban heat islanding, and guidance for northern, remote and Indigenous communities. As a part of this effort, the Department will also support the creation of performance-based guidelines for net-zero carbon construction that will be applied to federally-funded buildings and infrastructure (e.g., roads and bridges) and will support the NRC in developing more stringent building energy and carbon codes.

Supporting communities in their efforts to prevent and reduce homelessness, leading to sustainable and inclusive communities

Through Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy (Reaching Home), the Department will work with communities to support efforts that reduce and prevent homelessness among Canadians.

Budget 2021 outlined how communities and service providers would receive incremental funding through grants and contributions to support services targeted at individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness in urban centres, rural communities, the territories and Indigenous communities across Canada. Beginning in 2022-23, incremental funding provided through Budget 2021 to Reaching Home over two years will help provide additional support. This funding will also support communities as they shift to more stable longer-term housing approaches and solutions, laying the groundwork for longer-term efforts to eliminate chronic homelessness.

Additionally, Reaching Home will continue to support organizations in their work to prevent and reduce Indigenous homelessness. The Department will work with partners to identify investment priorities that meet the needs of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis individuals. Further, the Department will continue to address the needs of veterans experiencing homelessness.

Reaching Home will also continue to work with communities to make effective use of local data and to improve community-wide outcomes. Additional funding and flexibility will help to support implementation and development of coordinated access, and enable greater training and technical assistance to be delivered nationally. Designated communities have begun reporting on progress made in preventing and reducing homelessness through the Community Homelessness Report (CHR). In the 2022-23 fiscal year, work will be underway to analyze the results of the CHRs to assess progress on the program’s targets to implement coordinated access.

Continuing to help communities adapt local public infrastructure and allow residents to safely conduct social, economic and cultural activities by implementing solutions and improving ventilation in a wide range of public buildings

As announced in the 2021 Fall Economic Statement, a temporary COVID-19 Resilience stream under ICIP with over $3 billion available in existing funding, was created to provide provinces and territories with added flexibility to fund quick-start, short-term projects that might not otherwise be eligible under the existing funding streams. Funding under this stream includes a federal contribution of up to 80% of the cost of projects for provinces, and municipalities and not-for-profit organizations in provinces; as well as up to 100% for territories, and municipalities and not-for-profit organizations in the territories, and for Indigenous recipients in both provinces and territories.

In April 2021, $120 million was provided to the provincial and territorial agreements of the ICIP to support ventilation improvement projects in public buildings. This money supports provincial, territorial, municipal, regional governments and Indigenous organizations to fund projects whose primary purpose is to increase outdoor air intake and/or increase air cleaning in order to help reduce the transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19. On top of this, as announced in the Economic and Fiscal Update 2021, the government proposed new measures to see Canadians through the pandemic and to promote a robust and resilient recovery. As such, one of those measures includes a top-up of $70 million in incremental funding to support ventilation projects in public and community buildings like hospitals, libraries, and community centres.

Over the last two years, the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative (CHCI) provided up to $31 million in existing federal funding to help communities establish digital solutions, improve mobility, and adapt and create public spaces and local services in a way that meets people's needs both during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022-23, to further serve communities most impacted by the pandemic, the Government of Canada is also investing $30 million in new contribution funding to extend the CHCI over three years.

Partnering with all orders of government, Indigenous communities, transit agencies, government departments and other stakeholders to design the permanent public transit fund and support the switch to zero-emission transit options to ensure accessibility and sustainable mobility of future cities and rural areas while reducing pollution and promoting jobs and services and; advancing intergovernmental coordination and agreements through our Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and legacy programming.

Canadian cities have grown at a rapid rate which has led to more traffic congestion and long commutes that make it harder for people to get to work and for families to spend time together. Infrastructure Canada will continue to implement the Permanent Public Transit Program (PPTP), providing federal funding support to projects in order to deliver: expanded urban transit networks through implementation of large, shovel-ready transit projects; affordable, zero-emissions transit options; transit solutions for rural communities and; new and expanded active transportation options.

The PPTP will ramp up to $3 billion per year, starting in 2026-27, to support public transit systems and active transportation networks, create jobs, and make communities more accessible and liveable to all. Transit investments have the potential to support the supply and diversity of housing options for Canadians, thereby building sustainable, transit-oriented communities. As such, in 2022-23, INFC will also strategically align its framework for infrastructure spending, laying down the foundation to enable transit investments to advance federal objectives related to housing and homelessness, as well as climate change.  The Department will also engage with key transit stakeholders including provincial, territorial, and municipal partners, as well as Indigenous communities to inform the design and delivery of permanent public transit funding. INFC will launch the engagement process in spring 2022. This collaboration with stakeholders will lead to the development of transit solutions across Canada, which will allow for easier travel to get to work, school, appointments and visit loved ones.

Additionally, Infrastructure Canada will continue to support provinces and territories through the $21.1 billion Public Transit Stream of the ICIP, which invests in the construction, expansion, and improvement of public transit infrastructure, for projects that improve the capacity of public transit infrastructure, improve the quality or safety of existing or future transit systems, and improve access to public transit systems. Furthermore, the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure stream provides funding that could include improvements to pathways and active transportation. At the same time, the CCBF will continue to offer communities predictable, flexible funding to make strategic investments across 19 different project categories, including public transit.

Infrastructure Canada has signed long-term Integrated Bilateral Agreements (IBAs) with all provincial and territorial partners to make unprecedented investments through the ICIP. This includes investments in public transit, green infrastructure, recreational, cultural, and community infrastructure, rural and northern communities as well as COVID-19 resilience investments. The Climate Lens and Community Employment Benefits  encourage provinces and territories to consider the impacts of climate change and opportunities for inclusive job creation in the early stages of project planning. Projects over a certain threshold are required to report on Community Employment Benefits (CEB) under ICIP, GICB, SCC, DMAF and NIF. We will also continue to work with provinces and territories by providing advice, guidance, intelligence and expertise to assist in the development of their public-private partnerships (PPP) projects including management of the P3 Canada Fund.

In addition, Infrastructure Canada will continue to deliver its suite of legacy programs by working with partners, including other orders of government, to deliver a wide range of infrastructure investments that support economic growth, a clean environment and stronger communities. Legacy programs were created and in operation before the Investing in Canada plan was launched.

Protecting our environment by investing in natural infrastructure, green and inclusive community buildings, clean power, and sustainable water and wastewater to improve Canadians’ quality of life and drive towards a net-zero carbon, climate resilient future

The recently announced NIF and continued investment in the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program are essential to the Department’s environmental protection efforts. The NIF will invest in building natural infrastructure to increase the availability of natural carbon capture and sink services that will directly reduce emissions and enhance the resilience and conservation of ecosystems. The GICB program will continue to support lower carbon, more resilient, and higher performing publicly accessible buildings – particularly in areas with populations experiencing higher needs – by reducing GHG emissions, increasing energy efficiency, and encouraging new builds to net-zero standards. In addition, Infrastructure Canada, in collaboration with the Minister of Natural Resources and the Minister of Public Services and Procurement, will introduce a new Buy Clean Strategy to support the use of made-in-Canada low-carbon products in Canadian infrastructure projects.

The Department will also help to bridge short-term economic gaps in order to accelerate the transition from coal to clean power by advancing alternative finance solutions. This includes working with and supporting the Canada Infrastructure Bank which has already made signature investments in public transit, green and clean power projects, strategic infrastructure, as well as promoting clean infrastructure and local economic vitality.

Advancing work on a National Infrastructure Assessment to identify Canada’s infrastructure needs and priorities, linking public investments with policy outcomes, and planning for a future that is green, inclusive and prosperous

The Department aims to promote innovation in infrastructure through research, experimentation and technological adoption ensuring integration between economic, social and natural infrastructure while promoting vibrant cities and communities across Canada. Its work on a National Infrastructure Assessment (NIA) will provide an evidence-based picture of Canada’s long-term infrastructure needs and priorities to help guide future investment decisions, including the best ways to fund and finance infrastructure. Significant general public input was received in 2021 with written submissions from more than 300 organizations and individuals. This input signaled a strong interest in moving forward with the Assessment, with advice rooted in evidence and developed openly and transparently.

Supporting and managing the delivery of major bridge projects to promote economic growth and the efficient flow of people and goods while ensuring effective governance and stewardship of portfolio organizations, as well as internal teams, which work to manage these important projects

The Government of Canada continues to fund the construction of major federal bridges in order to promote economic growth, provide value for money for Canadians as well as foster safety, sustainable development and urban integration. Investments include the Gordie Howe International Bridge (GHIB), Samuel de Champlain Bridge Corridor Project, and Quebec Bridge.

Infrastructure Canada continues to act as a liaison between the Government and the Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority – a Crown corporation established to support the oversight of the GHIB project as it completes construction and prepares for the operations phase.

The Department also performs an oversight role as the overall project lead for the Samuel De Champlain Bridge Corridor project. Infrastructure Canada will continue to work in close collaboration with Public Works and Procurement Canada as contracting lead, and Justice Canada, which is providing legal support.

Finally, the Quebec Bridge file remains a priority for the Government of Canada given the strategic, economic and heritage importance of its restoration. The Department will work in close collaboration with Transport Canada to complete negotiations to repatriate and rehabilitate the Quebec Bridge, with the contribution of the Canadian National Railway Company and the Government of Quebec.

Promote the use of alternative approaches to financing and delivering public infrastructure, which includes supporting Canada’s international and domestic focus on Private-Public-Partnership models

Alternative methods of financing public infrastructure are vital to addressing Canada’s current and emerging infrastructure needs, as well as supporting its economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. To this end, the Department is working with the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) and supporting the delivery of alternative finance in practice.

The Department will continue to build capacity and knowledge that will encourage infrastructure investment by developing a deeper understanding of the strategies and needs of private and institutional investors to leverage capital and innovation. Infrastructure Canada continues to build capacity and knowledge around the financial circumstances of provinces and municipalities in order to better leverage alternative financing models.

For more information on Infrastructure Canada’s plans, see the “Core responsibilities: planned results and resources” section of this plan.