QUESTION PERIOD — Infrastructure and Communities
Canada Infrastructure Bank
February 7, 2024
My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate.
Senator Gold, nice to see you and all our colleagues this week. I wish us all a good and productive year in the Senate. I would like to discuss the content of the Legislative Review of the Canada Infrastructure Bank Act 2017-2022 Report. This report was published in June 2023. The review concluded that “. . . the core policy rationale underlying its creation remains sound, and its enabling legislation functions well. . . .”
However, the review did identify seven opportunities to ensure the continued success of the bank in such areas as better public engagement, greater alignment with partners and a stronger governance structure.
What, if anything, is the federal government considering in order to respond to these key findings? Should we expect any legislative proposals to amend the act?
Thank you for your question and your good wishes, senator.
The government is always looking for ways to improve service delivery and their programs. I can assure you that the government is considering the recommendations of the report very seriously.
While I can’t comment on any potential future legislation, it is worth noting that the review itself concluded that no legislative amendments were necessary and that the bank remains well positioned to advance a range of projects across its priority sectors.
Thank you for that answer.
As you know, it was announced last month that the chair of the board was leaving her role at the bank. Since then, a member of the board was appointed as interim chair. According to the legislation, an interim chair is not authorized to act as a chairperson for a period of more than 180 days without the approval of the Governor-in-Council. Senator Gold, can you commit that the government will appoint a permanent chair within the next six months?
As you know, Governor-in-Council appointments are made through an open, transparent and merit‑based process on an ongoing basis. I understand that the process takes into account current and forecasted vacancies as well as currently held positions so that the integrity of the operation can be maintained.
