QUESTION PERIOD — Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities
Canada Infrastructure Bank
April 25, 2023
Minister, over the years I’ve asked a number of questions about the Canada Infrastructure Bank. In a Senate Question Period in February, I asked about the secrecy surrounding its mandated five-year review, which you are currently leading. According to documents obtained through Access to Information by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, your review began behind closed doors in June of 2022. Since then, there has been very little information given on the process being followed or about the public engagement undertaken.
Minister, how long was the public consultation period that ended March 31? Did it start on March 13, which was the only date your department tweeted about? If it started earlier, why wasn’t it more widely promoted? As well, will the contracts awarded by the bank to the consulting firm McKinsey & Company be part of your review?
I didn’t receive answers in February, so I’m hoping you will give us answers today. Thank you.
Senator, thank you for the question.
You’re right that the legislated review of the Canada Infrastructure Bank after five years was properly mandated by the legislation that created the bank. It did not mandate a wide public review. It was a review that Infrastructure Canada was to undertake. It is one that, from my regular updates, has been extensive and has included interactions — and I’m going by memory, because I don’t have the notes in front of me, but it was something that we talked about with the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the CEO of the Canada Infrastructure Bank and the chair very recently.
I will be tabling in Parliament the results of that review by the end of June. I will find for you, senator, the precise dates in terms of when the public consultation began. We have received dozens and dozens of submissions from provincial authorities, municipal authorities and institutional pension funds, for example.
I’m encouraged by what I have been told the uptake has been so far, but I will ensure that you have the precise details of when those windows opened and how people were able to access it. I think within less than two months you will have a very transparent and, I think, thoughtful review based on the information that we have received and that, of course, we would share with parliamentarians and look forward to discussing at the appropriate committees, either of this chamber or in the other house.
