Ottawa - The Senate Committee on National Finance announced yesterday that it is launching a new study to evaluate the federal government’s multi-billion dollar infrastructure funding program outlined in Budget 2016.

To launch their series of hearings on this special study, they welcomed the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. The committee will also meet with research groups, academics, institutional investors and other government bodies with the intention of making recommendations that will assist the federal government in implementing its plan fairly and effectively.

The committee will examine the program’s funding process in terms of functionality, eligibility, and accountability. The study will shed greater light on geographic priorities and the distribution of funds. The committee will also contextualize its findings with lessons learned from previous government infrastructure programs.

Quick Facts

• Public infrastructure investment as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product was in continuous decline between 1960 and 2004 (The Foundations of a Competitive Canada, 2013)
• Survey results suggest that one-third of municipal infrastructure is in fair, poor, or very poor condition (Canada Infrastructure Report Card, 2016)
• In 2007, the federal government’s Building Canada plan allocated $33 billion in infrastructure funding over the following seven years.
• In 2014, the federal government launched the New Building Canada Plan, with $53 billion in funding over ten years.
• Budget 2016 raises that figure to $120 billion in funding over the next ten years. The first phase will focus on immediate needs in public transit, water systems and housing.

Quotes

“Infrastructure is a key component of the new government’s 2015 election platform. The implications and results will impact the immediate, short and long term future of Canada and its citizens. We need to get it done right the first time from start to finish”.

- Senator Larry Smith, Chair, Standing Senate Committee on National Finance

Associated Links

• Committee homepage
• Twitter: @SenateCA- follow the committee using the hashtag #NFFN.

For more information, please contact:

Marcy Galipeau
Committees Liaison Officer (Communications)
Senate of Canada
613-944-4082
marcy.galipeau@sen.parl.gc.ca