Backgrounder: Federal, Provincial and Territorial ministers meet to discuss early results and the next phase of the Government of Canada’s long-term Infrastructure plan

Early Results from Phase 1

Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF)

The PTIF was created in 2016 to make immediate federal investments that would repair, rehabilitate and expand existing public transit systems across Canada, helping improve commutes, reduce air pollution, strengthen communities and grow Canada's economy.

• Through PTIF, over 800 older buses are being replaced with newer, more reliable, and more efficient vehicles. This is in addition to the 835 new buses that have been ordered to expand current transportation networks, offering up over 28,000 additional seats to commuters.
• In addition, over 20% of those new buses will also be better for the environment than traditional diesel buses, using compressed natural gas, bio-diesel, electric or hybrid technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF)

The CWWF was created to provide immediate federal investments to communities for the repair, rehabilitation, upgrade and expansion of their drinking water, wastewater and stormwater management systems.

• Through CWWF, over 2,275 small communities saw improvements to their water, wastewater and stormwater management systems, leading to more modern and reliable services.
• Over 14% of these projects helped address critical issues of over 290 First Nation, Metis and northern communities.

These projects help create middle-class jobs today and into the future, ensure that Canadians have access to modern, reliable services that will safeguard their health and well-being, and support growth by making communities more attractive to investment.

The Next Phase

Budget 2017 builds on these measures and clearly outlines the next phase of the long-term Infrastructure plan which will provide more than $180 billion in infrastructure funding over 12 years. These investments will create long-term economic growth; build inclusive, sustainable communities; and support a low carbon, green economy, and focus on five key areas: public transit; green infrastructure; social infrastructure; trade and transportation; and infrastructure in rural and northern communities.

In July 2017, Minister Sohi wrote letters to each of his provincial and territorial counterparts to open discussions on how best to deliver the next phase of federal support. Today’s meeting builds on early discussions to outline the details of how that funding will be delivered, its terms and conditions, and the framework for reporting on the results and outcomes of the funding. Once signed, the bilateral agreements will ensure that federal investments help achieve national objectives while still providing the flexibility for provinces, territories and municipalities to address their local and regional infrastructure priorities. Agreements are anticipated to be signed by the end of March 2018, with initial projects being approved in time for the next construction season.

To read the letters to provinces and territories regarding the new infrastructure funding.

For more information on the Government of Canada’s $180-billion+ infrastructure plan in Budget 2017.