Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting of Ministers on Infrastructure

 

News release

For immediate release

 

Federal, Provincial and  Territorial ministers discuss Phase 2 of federal infrastructure plan

September 7, 2016        Edmonton,  Alberta                    Infrastructure Canada

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and  Communities, and the Honourable Brian Mason, Alberta's Minister of  Infrastructure, hosted today the first federal, provincial and territorial meeting  between Ministers responsible for infrastructure.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss infrastructure priorities across  the country as the federal government designs Phase 2 of Investing in Canada, its $120-billion infrastructure plan. This  plan, and the investments made at all orders of government, will stimulate the  economy and create jobs, while building strong, inclusive and sustainable  communities for generations to come.

During today's meeting, Minister Sohi praised the strong partnerships  that have been essential to delivering Phase 1 of Investing in Canada and discussed how to build on that success to  design Phase 2. Under the bilateral agreements for Canada's Provinces and  Territories, $5.4 billion of federal funding is available through Phase 1. So  far, over 660 projects have been approved across the country to ensure Canadians  have safe water to drink, wastewater systems they can rely on, and high-quality  public transit systems that get them to work on time and back home safely at  the end of a long day.

Representatives from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities also  attended a portion of the meeting, discussing how to deliver results for  Canadian communities, as municipal governments are key partners in the delivery  of infrastructure that Canadians need. With this input, Ministers examined how best to connect  municipal priorities of both urban centres and rural communities to provincial,  territorial and national outcomes.

All  ministers shared their views on infrastructure investment approaches and the  best mechanisms to deliver projects in their jurisdictions, and highlighted  their public transit, green and social infrastructure needs.

Participants  agreed that the federal government should begin Phase 2 of their infrastructure  plan as soon as possible, with funding flowing quickly to revitalize the  economy and boost employment across the country.  Provincial and Territorial Ministers  identified that Phase 2 funding should support existing provincial and  territorial priorities, be predictable, flexible and contain a fair allocation  model and simple administrative processes.

Quotes

"Investing in infrastructure is vital to create  growth for the middle class now while building a strong foundation for a  sustainable economic future. Today's meeting was another step in our relationship-building with  our infrastructure partners across the country, part of the Government of  Canada's commitment to re-engage with provincial, territorial and municipal governments.  Each region has unique challenges and opportunities, and it is only in working  in partnership that we will be successful in creating strategic, lasting  infrastructure that will help build the Canada of the 21st century."

The  Honourable Amarjeet Sohi,
Minister  of Infrastructure and Communities

"Our government's  historic investments in infrastructure are creating good jobs, supporting  families, and putting Alberta's economy on track to emerge from the current  downturn stronger than ever. We are pleased the federal government has also  made investing in infrastructure a priority. At this meeting we have established  a strong consensus that federal funding must be predictable and flexible to  ensure it's aligned with the priorities and budgets of each province and  territory.‎"

The Honourable Brian Mason,
Minister of Infrastructure and  Minister of Transportation

Associated links

Investing  in Canada, the Government of Canada's new $120-billion  infrastructure plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/index-eng.html

Lists of projects approved under Phase 1 so  far: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/pt-sp/ptt-tsp-eng.html

The Public Transit Infrastructure Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/ptif-fitc-eng.php

The Clean Water and Wastewater Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/cwwf-fepeu-eng.html

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Contacts

Brook Simpson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and  Communities
613-219-0149
brook.simpson@canada.ca

Aileen Machell
Press Secretary
Alberta Infrastructure
780-292-0154
aileen.machell@gov.ab.ca

Infrastructure  Canada
613-960-9251
Toll  free: 1-877-250-7154
infc.media-medias.infc@canada.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada