Minister's Statement: One Month In
Statement
December 16, 2015
It's been a whirlwind of a month since I was sworn in as Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. I have had the opportunity to meet and listen to provincial, territorial, municipal and association partners, learn about the Department and talk with media.
I firmly believe the federal government's role is to listen to our partners and work with them to reach our goals and build stronger communities through sustainable and smart infrastructure projects.
Listening to our partners
Partnership starts with building relationships through a sustained dialogue. Therefore it was important for me to engage early on in my mandate with my provincial counterparts across the country, with associations like the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA), and with mayors to learn more about their business and their priorities. While talking with CUTA in Montreal, I also toured the site of the New Champlain Bridge, a critical project for all Canadians which will be completed in 2018.
I've also spoken to organizations like Canada 2020 to share our government's infrastructure vision for Canada. I discussed the vital importance of infrastructure in creating livable, diverse, inclusive, sustainable and prosperous communities. I talked about the need to work together with partners to build those communities. I shared our plans to double infrastructure spending and focus on areas that need investment – like social infrastructure, green infrastructure, and public transit infrastructure.
Most importantly, I talked about infrastructure as an enabler to create inclusive communities for all Canadians, grow the economy, create good middle-class jobs, enhance productivity, and address climate change.
I also met with key partners the Gordie Howe Bridge, an important project that will create the long awaited and critical connection between Windsor and Detroit. During my visit to Toronto I will also be learning more about another key file, the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative.
What I'm hearing – accelerate and streamline approvals, increase transparency and be a true partner
In meeting with our partners, I have heard several consistent messages.
They have identified the need to accelerate and streamline approvals, and to respect recipients' abilities and authorities to build and manage projects as they best see fit. That thinking is reflected in our commitment to remove the P3 Screen requirement for projects of more than $100 million, a commitment we will follow through on.
They have also asked for more transparency and clarity in our infrastructure investment programs. So we will work to make program criteria clearer and simpler. We will be more transparent. If a project is not approved, we will disclose the reasons why.
Of course, I've also heard about the need for additional federal infrastructure investments. That's why we are planning to double those investments over the next ten years.
Our partners say they want to be treated as exactly that – a partner. They want to be consulted, and they want to be heard. That is why we will work with them to build a detailed 10-year plan that meets local infrastructure needs and priorities, and helps create communities where all Canadians can live, grow, learn and prosper.
A collaborative working relationship is a process, and I am committed to being a part of the process. Our partners have shown they are eager to be at the table with us, and I am eager to be right there with them.
We have a lot of work to do. The time to do it is now. And the way to do it is together.
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