No. GC003/03For release - March 26, 2003
Government of Canada Offers $435 Million for Improvements to GO Transit and York Region Transit Networks
OTTAWA — Allan Rock, Minister of Industry and Minister Responsible for Infrastructure, and David Collenette, Transport Minister and Minister Responsible for the Greater Toronto Area, today announced that the Government of Canada is willing to contribute $435 million for improvements to GO Transit's rail network in the extended Greater Toronto Area (GTA) as well as for the "Quick Start" phase of the York Region Rapid Transit Plan.
Speaking Notes for Transport Minister David Collenette at the GO Transit / York Region transit network announcement
The Government of Canada's investment will aid in increasing track capacity to accommodate additional train frequencies at peak hours and introduce all-day service to many municipalities, eliminate grade crossings, upgrade existing track and introduce new services to more communities. The Government of Canada contributions will be sourced from the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund and from the Government of Canada's Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative.
As part of this announcement, the Government of Canada is willing to provide $50 million to the "Quick Start" project. "Quick Start" is a three-year strategy to implement rapid transit in four key corridors across York Region: Yonge-Newmarket, Highway 7, Vaughan-Downsview, and Markham-Don Mills. This investment will be directed towards the purchase of new rapid transit vehicles, the construction of stations and terminals and the improvement of selected rights-of-way.
"Getting people out of cars and onto transit will provide a significant step in implementing our Kyoto commitments to reduce greenhouse gases and contribute to our urban strategy for a safer, more efficient and environmentally responsible transportation system for the extended GTA," said Minister Rock. "It will help ease gridlock and reduce the average travel times for commuters in this urban region."
"This investment by the Government of Canada will deliver more frequent and more reliable service to more communities served by GO Transit's and York Region's networks," said Minister Collenette. "By attracting more commuters to transit, this federal transportation strategy for southern Ontario and the GTA will help to improve the quality of life for the residents of this region."
The Government of Canada believes that improving GO Transit's network across the extended Greater Toronto Area and implementing the first phase of the York Region Rapid Transit Plan are key infrastructure priorities. The results of these investments will serve to improve the flow of goods and people, reduce congestion and harmful emissions and improve our quality of life.
Following today's announcement, the Government of Canada will pursue discussions with the Government of Ontario to secure provincial and municipal funding to complete these projects.
Through the $2 billion Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, the Government of Canada continues to collaborate with provincial, territorial and municipal governments, as well as with the private sector, to invest in strategic infrastructure projects across the country. Investments made through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund are directed to large-scale projects of major national and regional significance in areas that are vital to sustaining economic growth and supporting an enhanced quality of life for Canadians.
GO Transit is Canada's first, and Ontario's only, interregional public transit system, established to link Toronto with the surrounding regions of the GTA. It carries more than 43 million passengers a year in an extensive network of train and bus services. It currently operates 178 train trips per weekday carrying a total of 140,000 rail passengers per day, or more than 35 million passengers each year.
York Region is experiencing significant growth. The "Quick Start" program will provide convenient, reliable and fast public transit service for commuters. Key stations of the York Region Rapid Transit Plan, such as the Langstaff station to be built under "Quick Start", will be designed as intermodal terminals, creating links to GO's rail network and the Toronto Transit Commission's subway network. "Quick Start" is expected to shift over 7,000 commuter trips per day from automobile transportation to public transit.
For additional information on the Government of Canada's Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative, please visit www.towaterfront.ca.
For more information on the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, Infrastructure Canada, and its programs, please visit www.infrastructurecanada.gc.ca.
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Contacts:
Selena BeattieOffice of Allan RockMinister of Industry and Minister responsible for Infrastructure(613) 995-9001
Anthony PolciOffice of the Minister of Transport(613) 991-0700
Infrastructure CanadaCommunications Branch(613) 948-1148
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/e-news and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.
BACKGROUNDERBENEFITS OF TRANSIT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTSFOR THE EXTENDED GREATER TORONTO AREA (GTA)
Modern infrastructure and smart transportation choices are key to the prosperity of our cities and the health of our communities. In the September 2002 Speech from the Throne, the Government of Canada committed to providing a safe, efficient and environmentally responsible transportation system that will help reduce congestion in our cities and bottlenecks in our trade corridors. This will also help meet Canada's commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.
As part of the Government of Canada's Climate Change Plan, the federal government has committed to emphasizing partnerships with provinces, territories, communities, the private sector and non-governmental organizations to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a variety of means. The plan proposes to place a greater emphasis on public transit in existing and future infrastructure funding. The federal government has also proposed a personal goal for each Canadian to reduce emissions by an average of one tonne per year by 2008-2012, supported by incentives, improved information and product availability.
In the 2003 budget, the Government of Canada again emphasized the importance of climate change initiatives, providing additional funding of $2 billion over five years for climate change investments, including sustainable transportation.
York Region is the fastest-growing regional municipality in the GTA and one of the fastest growing municipalities in Canada. Between 1996 and 2001 alone, York Region's population increased by 26 per cent. This rapid growth rate is projected to continue, with York Region reaching a population level of 1,280,000 by 2026.
Currently, York Region Transit operates more than 140 buses and carries approximately 30,000 commuters per day. It provides service to the municipalities of Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King, Markham, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, and Whitchurch-Stouffville.
The "Quick Start" program is designed to provide convenient, reliable and fast public transit service for commuters. The program is expected to shift more than 7,000 commuter trips per day from cars to public transit, reducing gridlock and contributing to Canada's climate change goals.
GO Transit is Canada's first, and Ontario's only, interregional public transit system, established to link Toronto with the surrounding regions of the Greater Toronto Area. It already carries more than 43 million passengers a year in an extensive network of train and bus services that is one of North America's premier transportation systems.
The initiatives announced for funding of GO Transit represent a significant step in achieving Canada's greenhouse gas emission reduction goals and enhancing health, quality of life and economic prosperity for Canadians. For example, one GO train with 10 cars carries as many people as 1,400 automobiles. Every person who takes the GO train rather than driving saves 3 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year.
The results of this funding are expected to contribute to Canada's Climate Change Plan and enhance quality of life by:
eliminating 13.1 million car trips, representing a shift of 14.4 million commuters from cars to GO Transit;
reducing annual fuel consumption by 40 million litres;
reducing travel time and stress;
conserving land in the GTA and reducing the need for parking spaces; and
improving air quality and reducing smog through lower emissions.
Furthermore, the rail lines used by GO Transit also carry VIA Rail, Amtrack, Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) trains. These operators will also enjoy benefits realized from this funding and contribute to economic growth and the quality of life of the residents of the extended GTA.
Specifically, the funding for GO infrastructure will provide for:
the addition of a third track, a new storage yard and improvements to signalling systems along the Lakeshore and Union Station corridors between Scarborough-Union Station-Hamilton;
the construction of grade separations and improvements to track and stations along the Georgetown and Milton corridors;
the construction of grade separations, track improvements and new stations along the Bradford and Stouffville corridors;
track improvements and new service to Barrie; and
introduction of bus-rail service to Peterborough, Cambridge, Niagara Falls and Guelph/Kitchener/Waterloo.
March 2003
BACKGROUNDERDETAILS OF TRANSIT INFRASTRUCTUREPROJECTS FOR THE EXTENDED GREATER TORONTO AREA
Today's announcement means that the Government of Canada will pursue discussions with the Government of Ontario to secure matching provincial and municipal funding to complete the following projects:
Union Station corridor
Improvements to track and signal infrastructureModernization of the 70-year-old track and signal infrastructure will increase the core capacity of the track network in the Union Station corridor, allowing additional GO and VIA trains to operate as well as accommodating future rail services.
East Storage Yard ImprovementsThis storage yard close to Union Station will allow improved staging of trains and better use of the track capacity into and out of Union Station. By reducing train congestion in this area, the reliability of the existing operation will be improved, and the track network will be better able to accommodate additional GO trains in peak periods.
Lakeshore corridor from Scarborough to Hamilton
Addition of a third track from Port Credit to Oakville and from Burlington to Hamilton JunctionAdding a third track will increase core capacity and allow the operation of additional GO and VIA trains, increase use of the rail fleet, and improve service reliability on what is one of the most heavily-used track segments in all of Canada. The addition is also a pre-requisite for the extension of the Lakeshore corridor westward into the Niagara peninsula. These lines currently serve Halton and Peel Regions, Toronto West, as well as Aldershot and Hamilton Stations.
Addition of a third track from Union Station to ScarboroughThe new track will increase the core capacity of the Lakeshore East corridor, serving Durham Region and Toronto East (as well as York Region via the Stouffville corridor). Adding a third track will allow additional GO and VIA trains to operate during peak periods, increase use of the rail fleet, and improve service reliability. Increased core capacity is also a prerequisite for extension of the Lakeshore corridor eastward to Bowmanville, and facilitates all-day rail service on the Stouffville corridor.
Georgetown and Milton corridors
Rail/rail grade separation at the West Toronto diamond on the Georgetown corridorThis grade separation will allow additional peak period GO and VIA trains to operate across the CPR freight corridor and is a prerequisite for all-day train service from Brampton to Union Station. This will reduce operating costs and improve service reliability, and is essential for a future air-rail link from Lester B. Pearson International Airport to Union Station.
Various road/rail grade separations on the Georgetown corridorThese projects will enhance the efficiency of GO and VIA trains, facilitate a future air-rail link and improve road safety and traffic flow at rail crossings.
Increased track capacity on the Georgetown corridorIncreased track capacity will allow increased train movements between Brampton and Union Station for GO and VIA and accommodate a future air-rail link service. Projects include widening of bridges at the Humber River and Black Creek, as well as a three-track cross-section along several sections of corridor from Union Station to Malton.
Increased track capacity on the Milton corridorIncreasing the track capacity, primarily within Mississauga, will allow for higher peak-period frequencies and will facilitate train movements during off-peak periods. This is a prerequisite for further extension westward to Cambridge.
North Toronto corridors
Rail/rail grade separation: GO Bradford corridorThe grade separation will allow additional peak period GO trains to operate across the CN freight corridor and is a prerequisite for all-day train service from Bradford to Union Station (East Gwillimbury, Newmarket, Aurora, King City, Maple, Rutherford, York University). This will reduce operating costs and improve reliability.
Rail/rail grade separation: GO Stouffville corridorThis grade separation will allow additional peak period GO trains to operate across the CN freight corridor and is a prerequisite for all-day train service from Stouffville to Union Station (Markham, Centennial, Unionville, Milliken, Agincourt). It will reduce operating costs and improve service reliability.
Introduction of new GO service
Extension of GO Bradford train service to BarrieThis will complement connecting GO bus service from Barrie, reducing parking demand at Bradford corridor stations and the need for more train storage requirements at Bradford.
Introduction of GO Service to Peterborough, Cambridge, Niagara Falls and Guelph/Kitchener/WaterlooA new GO Bus-Rail service will be introduced to Peterborough, Cambridge, Niagara Falls and Guelph/Kitchener/Waterloo, providing a bus link to GO's rail network in both peak and off peak periods. Over time, these services would be expected to migrate to rail service, where demand may warrant.
York Region
Quick Start component of the York Region Rapid Transit PlanQuick Start is a three-year, early-initiative strategy to implement rapid transit in four corridors: Yonge-Newmarket, Highway 7, Vaughan-Downsview, and Markham-Don Mills. It is designed to provide convenient, comfortable, reliable and speedy public transit services for people in York Region. It consists of an integrated package of new rapid transit vehicles, stations and terminals, technology applications, and selected right-of-way improvements. Key stations of the York Region Rapid Transit Plan, such as the Langstaff station, will be designed as intermodal terminals, creating links to GO's rail network and the TTC's subway network. Quick Start is expected to shift over 7,000 commuter trips per day from automobile transportation to public transit.
March 2003
BACKGROUNDERGOVERNMENT OF CANADA INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS IN ONTARIO
The Government of Canada has made substantial infrastructure investments in Ontario since 1994 for a host of public infrastructure projects, including water-wastewater facilities, public transit, local roads, highways, cultural institutions and affordable housing. With today's improvements to the GO Transit and York Region networks, federal support for public infrastructure in Ontario since 1994 exceeds $3 billion dollars. This investment by the Government of Canada has directly leveraged more than $10 billion in total public infrastructure investment in the province of Ontario during this period.
Additional investments beyond those cited below will occur in Ontario through further announcements for the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, the Border Infrastructure Fund, and the new infrastructure investments announced in Budget 2003.
For more information on these programs, visit www.infrastructurecanada.gc.ca.
1994 - 1999 Canada Infrastructure Works ProgramThe Ontario share of federal funding in this program was $875 million.
2000 - Green Municipal Infrastructure FundsA $200 million permanent revolving fund designed to support environmental projects. Managed by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, in 2001-02, Ontario projects totalling $2.5 million received grants or loans from this fund.
2000 - 2007 Infrastructure Canada ProgramThe Government of Canada has allocated $680.7 million to Ontario projects, which have leveraged over $2 billion in total infrastructure spending in the province.
2000 Toronto Waterfront RevitalizationThe Government of Canada will provide $500 million to Ontario for this initiative.
2000 - 2007 Strategic Highways Infrastructure ProgramUnder the highways component of the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program, $168 million was allocated to highway construction and upgrading of the Ontario component of the National Highway System.
2001 - 2007 Border Infrastructure FundFunding of $150 million towards improvement of the Windsor-Detroit gateway has been committed by the Government of Canada. Additional investments in Ontario from this program are imminent.
2001 Affordable Housing ProgramIn the 2001 federal budget, $244 million was committed as the Ontario share of a capital grants program administered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation designed to stimulate the creation of more affordable housing for low to moderate income households. In Budget 2003, the Government of Canada committed an additional $320 million over five years to this program, bringing the total federal investment in the Affordable Housing Initiative to $1 billion by the end of 2007-2008.
2003 onward Budget 2003 Infrastructure CommitmentThe last Speech from the Throne formally committed the Government of Canada to an additional 10-year engagement in public infrastructure. Budget 2003 confirmed this commitment and provided an additional
investment of $3 billion for strategic and municipal infrastructure. The province of Ontario will benefit significantly from these investments.
March 2003
BACKGROUNDERINFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA
In recent years, the Government of Canada has provided a host of funding programs to address provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure needs and to improve the state of Canada's infrastructure. The total Government of Canada investment in infrastructure initiatives since 1994 exceeds $12 billion. Partnerships with provincial, territorial, and municipal governments as well as the private sector investments made through these programs will help leverage significant infrastructure investments. Here is a brief description of the Government of Canada's major infrastructure initiatives:
Canada Infrastructure Works Program -- $2.4 billion (1994-1999)
The Canada Infrastructure Works Program was introduced in 1994 as a short-term initiative during a period of low economic growth. The Government of Canada's total contribution of $2.4 billion has leveraged more than $8.3 billion in over 17,000 infrastructure projects across Canada.
Canada Agri-Infrastructure Program -- $150 million (1995-2000)
The Canada Agri-Infrastructure Program was a $150-million initiative set up in 1995 to assist Western Canada to adjust to changes in the grain transportation system. The largest portion of these funds was used to build or upgrade roads and highways affected by new grain transportation patterns.
Infrastructure Canada -- $2.05 billion (2000-2007)
The $2.05-billion Infrastructure Canada Program was announced in Budget 2000 to enhance municipal infrastructure in urban and rural communities across the country, and to improve the quality of life for all Canadians through investments that protect the environment and support long-term economic growth. With contribution from provincial, territorial, and municipal governments, as well as with First Nations and the private sector, the Infrastructure Canada Program will generate at least $6 billion in infrastructure investment over six years.
In most cases, the Government of Canada is matching the provincial and territorial contribution, and generally providing up to one-third of the cost of each municipal infrastructure project. Other than the Government of Canada's share of costs, the remaining funds may come from other sources, including provincial, territorial and municipal governments, the private sector and non-governmental organizations.
The program's first priority is Green Municipal infrastructure, i.e. projects that improve the quality of the environment and contribute to Canada's goals of clean air and clean water. The program's secondary priorities include local transportation infrastructure, cultural and recreational facilities, tourism-related infrastructure, rural and remote telecommunications, high-speed Internet access, and affordable housing.
Recognizing that individual communities know their needs best, the program operates in a "bottom-up" fashion, with the flexibility for municipalities and First Nations to identify their own infrastructure priorities. It also includes provisions to ensure an equitable balance of funding between urban and rural communities.
The Infrastructure Canada Program is governed by agreements signed with each province and territory, and is delivered by federal agencies across Canada:
Western Economic Diversification Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba)
Industry Canada (Ontario)
Canada Economic Development for the Regions of Quebec
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick)
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (First Nations component, Yukon, Nunavut and Northwest Territories)
For more information on the Infrastructure Canada Program, visit the Infrastructure Canada Web site at: www.infrastructurecanada.gc.ca
Green Municipal Funds -- $250 million (ongoing since 2000)
The $50 million Green Municipal Enabling Fund and the $200 million Green Municipal Investment Fund are endowments created by the Government of Canada in 2000, and are managed by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, to support energy and water efficiency projects.
The Green Municipal Funds and the Infrastructure Canada Program are two initiatives that complement each other. The Green Municipal Funds support environmental innovation and high levels of performance improvement to develop knowledge and decrease costs, while the Infrastructure Canada Program supports municipal projects with environmental benefits.
In an effort to provide municipal governments with enough flexibility to implement innovative environmental infrastructure projects, arrangements have been made for them to seek funding through both the Infrastructure Canada Program and the Green Municipal Funds, should a proposed project meet the criteria for both programs.
a) Green Municipal Enabling Fund (GMEF) -- $50 million (2000-2007)
The GMEF is a $50-million fund that provides grants to support feasibility studies. Operating from 2000 to 2007, the GMEF expects to support each year a large number of studies to assess the technical, environmental and economic feasibility of innovative municipal projects. Grants cover up to 50 per cent of eligible costs to a maximum grant of $100,000. The Fund is open to Canadian municipalities and their public-sector or private-sector partners. Applications are accepted each spring and autumn.
Feasibility studies must assess projects that would improve air, water or soil quality, protect the environment or promote the use of renewable resources. The projects must also show potential for significant improvements in environmental performance or energy efficiency by reducing pollution and waste at the source. Applications can be made in the following categories:
Municipal buildings and facilities
Energy services and renewable energy
Water supply, sewage treatment or storm run-off management
Solid waste management
Sustainable transportation services and technologies
Sustainable community planning
b) Green Municipal Investment Fund (GMIF) -- $200 million (ongoing since 2000)
The GMIF is a $200-million permanent revolving fund that supports the implementation of innovative environmental projects. It offers the opportunity for a municipality or its partner to borrow at competitive rates for up to 15 per cent (25 per cent in exceptional circumstances) of capital costs for a qualifying project. The GMIF can also provide loan guarantees. Loan payback periods may range from four to ten years.
Projects must add to the national knowledge base on innovative technologies or practices and their regional implementation. They must also generate measurable and verifiable results, both environmental and economic. GMIF expects to support 15 to 20 projects a year. Applications are accepted year-round.
For more information on the Green Municipal Funds, visit the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Web site at www.fcm.ca.
Prairie Grain Roads Program -- $175 million (ongoing since 2000)
The Prairie Grain Roads Program is a federal initiative established to improve municipal grain roads and provincial secondary highways. Traffic on these essential roads has increased as a result of changing transportation policies and the restructuring of grain handling systems.
The program provides assistance to upgrade some of the municipal roads and secondary provincial highways used for the transportation of grain in the Prairie provinces and the Peace River region of British Columbia.
Cultural Spaces Canada Program -- $80 million (2001-2004)
The Cultural Spaces Canada (CSC) program was created in 2001 to improve Canada's cultural infrastructure. Its aim is to help improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and innovation and to increase and improve access for Canadians to performing arts, visual arts, media arts and to museum collections and heritage displays through the improvement, renovation and creation of arts and heritage facilities.
The Program contributes towards the costs associated with the construction, adaptive re-use, or renovation of buildings for arts and heritage activities, specialized equipment purchases or feasibility studies.
Funding is provided to successful applicants of up to 33 per cent of total eligible project costs for construction and renovation of arts and heritage facilities, as well as for projects that transform buildings that were not previously used for cultural purposes into arts or heritage facilities.
The Program provides funding to successful applicants of up to 50 per cent of total eligible project costs for specialized equipment purchases and feasibility studies. The Program does not support regular building maintenance costs.
The following are eligible applicants:
Non-profit arts and heritage organizations incorporated under Part II of the Canada Business Corporations Act or under corresponding provincial or territorial legislation
Provincial/territorial governments
Municipal or regional governments, and their agencies
First Nations/Inuit governments.
The CSC program is administered under the responsibility of the Minister of Canadian Heritage.
For more information on the Cultural Spaces Canada program, visit the Canadian Heritage Web site at: www.pch.gc.ca.
Affordable Housing Program -- $1 billion (2002-2008)
In Budget 2001, the Government of Canada confirmed its contribution of $680 million over five years to a capital grants program to help stimulate the creation of more affordable rental housing. The Government of Canada announced in Budget 2003 an additional investment of $320 million, thus bringing the total contribution made through the Affordable Housing Program to $1 billion.
The final framework was developed and agreed to on November 30, 2001, and includes the following:
Provinces and territories have the primary responsibility for the design and delivery of the program
Provinces and territories require flexible programs to address their housing needs
The initiative needs to create affordable housing for low to moderate income households
Units funded will remain affordable for a minimum of 10 years
Provinces and territories will be required to match the Government of Canada's contributions overall.
The Affordable Housing Program falls under the purview of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). As such, the CMHC is in the process of concluding bilateral cost-sharing agreements with the provinces and the territories.
The Minister of Transport is responsible for the CMHC.
For more information on the Affordable Housing program, visit CMHC Web site at www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca.
Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program -- $600 million (2001/02-2005/06)
The Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program was created in 2001 to address highway infrastructure needs across Canada. The Minister of Transport is responsible to Parliament for the Program.
Projects funded under Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program must meet one or more of the following long-term objectives:
Support trade, tourism and investment in Canada
Strengthen national unity by sustaining strategic infrastructure investments in all regions of the country to respond to local needs
Make the Canadian surface transportation system more reliable, efficient, competitive, integrated and sustainable
Improve the quality of life of Canadians by promoting safer and more environmentally sustainable transportation.
The Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program is two-fold; it has a highway construction component and a national system integration component.
a) Highway Construction ($500 million):
Under the Highway Construction component, $500 million was allocated to address the needs of Canada's highways over the next five years.
The Government of Canada has been working with the provinces and territories to identify those parts of the National Highway System that need immediate attention due to growing traffic and increasing trade. This will result in a safer and more efficient highway system for all Canadians.
The Highway Construction component of Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program is governed by agreements signed with each province and territory.
b) National System Integration ($100 million)
The National System Integration component will fund initiatives that better integrate Canada's transportation system. These include the deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), improvements to border crossings and better transportation planning. ITS includes the application of advanced technologies for traffic management, traveller information and vehicle control, commercial vehicle and fleet management, public transit and rural transportation.
Provincial and territorial agreements for this component of Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program are signed on a project-by-project basis, with no pre-set allocation.
For more information on the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program, visit Transport Canada Web site at www.tc.gc.ca.
Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund -- $2 billion (2002-2007)
In Budget 2001, the Government of Canada announced its intention to provide at least
$2 billion in funding for large-scale strategic infrastructure projects that improve quality of life and further economic growth. On March 27, 2002, the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund Act received Royal Assent, thereby establishing the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund.
The program's main objective is to provide for the funding of large-scale strategic infrastructure projects across Canada that go beyond the capacity of existing programs. The Fund calls for partnerships with municipal and provincial governments, as well as with the private sector, to meet Canada's essential infrastructure needs of the 21st century economy.
The new program will invest in the following areas:
Highway and Railway Infrastructure
Local Transportation Infrastructure
Tourism or Urban Development Infrastructure
Water or Sewage Infrastructure
Broadband
The Government of Canada will make a maximum contribution of 50 per cent towards the total eligible costs of projects. All projects will be selected under the authority of the Minister responsible for Infrastructure.
For provinces and territories whose population is less than 750,000 people, total eligible project costs must exceed $10 million. This applies to Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. For provinces whose population exceeds 750,000 but is less than 1.5 million people, total eligible project costs must exceed $25 million. This applies to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. For provinces whose population exceeds 1.5 million people, total eligible project costs must exceed $75 million. This currently applies to Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario.
For more information on the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, visit the Infrastructure Canada Web site at: www.infrastructurecanada.gc.ca
Border Infrastructure Fund -- $600 million (2002-2007)
In Budget 2001, the Government of Canada announced its intention to provide $600 million to support improved efficiency at Canada's borders. The Border Infrastructure Fund is a comprehensive approach towards sustaining and increasing the long-term efficiency of the Canada-U.S. border. It encompasses physical infrastructure, intelligent transportation systems, and helps support analytic knowledge, which will provide decision makers with better knowledge of today's border issues as they pertain to congestion.
In the wake of the events of September 11, 2001, the Government of Canada renewed its commitment to public and economic security by signing a declaration for the creation of a Smart Border for the 21st century between the United States and Canada. The Smart Border Action Plan is supported by four pillars: (i) secure flow of people, (ii) secure flow of goods, (iii) secure infrastructure, and (iv) coordination and information sharing in the enforcement of these objectives.
This Program will be implemented in co-operation with provincial, territorial and municipal governments, academic and research institutes, and with partners from the public and private sectors on both sides of the border to form an integral component of the Smart Border Action Plan.
The two central objectives of the Border Infrastructure Fund are (1) to support the Smart Border Action Plan by reducing border bottlenecks; and (2) to expand existing infrastructure capacity over the medium term to support ongoing economic growth.
In fulfilling these objectives, funding will be largely targeted towards major crossings, such as Windsor, Ontario; Sarnia, Ontario; Niagara Falls, Ontario; Fort Erie, Ontario; Douglas, British Columbia; and Lacolle, Quebec.
The Government of Canada will make a maximum contribution of 50 per cent towards the total eligible costs of each project.
All projects will be selected under the authority of the Minister responsible for Infrastructure based on the following investment criteria:
Mitigation of congestion;
Enhancement of system capacity;
Coordination with adjacent U.S. border facility and road access network;
Support implementation of the Smart Border Action Plan;
Enhancing safety and security at border crossings; and
Leveraging public and private sector funding.
Budget 2003 -- $3 billion
The last Speech from the Throne formally committed the Government of Canada to an additional 10-year involvement in public infrastructure. Budget 2003 confirmed this commitment and provided an additional investment of $3 billion for strategic and municipal infrastructure.
For more information on Infrastructure Canada and its programs, please visit: www.infrastructurecanada.gc.ca.
