Infrastructure Canada

Infrastructure Canada is a Canadian federal department responsible for public infrastructure in the country. The department is headed by the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.

History

The Office of Infrastructure of Canada (Infrastructure Canada) was created as a federal department in 2002 via an Order in Council issued pursuant to the Financial Administration Act.[1] The Department was mandated to enter into funding agreements with Canada's provinces and territories (including municipalities created under provincial or territorial authority), for the purpose of supporting strategic infrastructure projects across Canada.[1]

There are two programs managed by the Department that have their own federal legislation: the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, and the Gas Tax Fund.[1]

Programs

Infrastructure Canada is the lead federal Department responsible for infrastructure policy development and program delivery. The Department makes investments for both local and regional infrastructure needs.

In the first year after its creation, the Department invested mostly in water and wastewater plants, highways, culture, recreation, and broadband projects.[2]

During the Great Recession, the Department was tasked with implementing the economic stimulus package of the Conservative Party of Canada's government.[2]

In the fiscal year 2014-2015, the government did not use $616 million set aside for infrastructure spending. The reason given was that there were delays in planning and execution beyond the government's control.[3]

In January 2016, Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi announced a two-year ten-billion-dollar plan to repair infrastructure across the country.[4]

Branches and sub-agencies

The Department is made up of five branches:[5]

  • The Policy and Results Branch
  • The Program Operations Branch
  • The Corporate Services Branch
  • The Audit and Evaluation Branch
  • The Communications Branch

Some of the sub-agencies of the Department include:

References
  1. Canada, Government of Canada, Infrastructure. "Infrastructure Canada - Info Source 2014 (in English)". www.infrastructure.gc.ca. Retrieved 2016-02-25.
  2. Graham, Katherine A. H.; Andrew, Caroline (2014-01-01). Canada in Cities: The Politics and Policy of Federal-Local Governance. McGill-Queen's University Press. ISBN 9780773544031.
  3. "Liberals to speed up infrastructure project approvals as millions left unspent". The Hamilton Spectator. 2016-02-01. Retrieved 2016-02-25.
  4. "City infrastructure projects must be 'shovel-worthy' of federal cash, minister says". CBC News. Retrieved 2016-02-25.
  5. "Infrastructure Canada - Organizational Structure". infrastructure.gc.ca.
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