Tab A: Opening remarks

Remarks for Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities to the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities

Ottawa, Ontario
November 19, 2020

Introduction

Good afternoon. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

I'm pleased to appear before the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities to answer any questions on the 2020-21 Main and Supplementary Estimates B.

There is no question that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a profound impact on our country—our health and wellbeing, our economy, and the work of this government.

Much has changed since the beginning of the pandemic. While we have adapted our programs at Infrastructure Canada to better respond, our priorities and responsibilities remain the same and we are working hard to deliver for Canadians.

Changes to Supplementary Estimates B

The Supplementary Estimates B for the 2020-21 fiscal year include items that required adjustments for a variety of reasons, and we are seeking a net increase of $52.9 million.

For example, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we launched the new Canada Healthy Communities Initiative to support community-driven solutions that improve quality of life. To accomplish this, we are seeking $4.9 million of unused 2019-20 funds from the Smart Cities Challenge program for this new initiative.

Canadians are adapting to the realities of COVID-19, and this program will help us keep people safe and healthy, support economic recovery and build pandemic-resilient communities.

For the Samuel De Champlain Bridge Corridor project, we're seeking $48.3 million of unused funds from 2019-20 to be used for 2020-21. We are also seeking to transfer out $310,000 to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council to support mobility and public transportation.

All of this work supports our long-term infrastructure plan for stronger, more inclusive communities and lasting economic, environmental and social benefits for years to come. The same objectives of our historic Investing in Canada plan.

Pandemic response and recovery

This Plan will be key to getting out of this economic crisis and ensuring our long-term prosperity and to building a cleaner and more resilient future for all Canadians—the foundation of our departmental plan.

Since March 1, under the largest program led by my department – the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program – we have approved over 700 projects, representing a federal investment of over $1.2 billion. This contributes to good jobs across the country—from planning to design to construction to businesses all along the supply chain.

We also launched a new COVID-19 stream within that program. These projects will benefit from an increased 80% federal cost share in the provinces and 100% cost share for Indigenous projects and projects in the territories. Projects like upgrading schools or long-term care homes with things like HVAC and physical distancing measures, or building new parks, cycling and walking paths to help Canadians get outside and stay active.

We're also pleased to see the Canada Infrastructure Bank hitting its stride under new board chair Michael Sabia and new CEO Ehren Cory, with projects like the $815-million irrigation plan for southern Alberta as part of the Bank's three-year, $10-billion Growth Plan.

But it's not enough for governments to simply shovel out infrastructure dollars—it's about the outcomes Canadians get in return.

Every taxpayer dollar that is spent will do triple duty—creating jobs and economic growth, making communities cleaner and more resilient, and making communities inclusive so everyone has a fair shot to succeed.

In the Speech from the Throne on Sept. 23 we set out our government's ambition to create a million jobs as we recover from the economic shock of the pandemic. Investments in infrastructure are key to that ambition.

Conclusion

We are contributing to our country's recovery—helping communities get back on their feet, supporting them to get more infrastructure built, creating jobs and building a stronger, cleaner, healthier and more connected country.

Thank you for your attention. I look forward to answering your questions.