Federal government sets new infrastructure plan in motion

The Government of Canada has launched a process to develop a new long-term plan for public infrastructure. The new plan would start when the current Building Canada Plan expires in 2014.

The program, announced November 30 by the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, is first intended to engage all three levels of government — the provinces and territories and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities — as well as other parties.

Mr. Lebel said the “engagement process” will take place in three phases over the next year: first to examine the results of the infrastructure investments made recently; second to collaborate on research and analysis; third to have in-depth discussions to establish the principles and priorities of the plan.

In the meantime, the federal government has said it will continue to deliver infrastructure through the $33-billion Building Canada Plan. The government has tabled legislation to make the $2-billion Gas Tax Fund permanent. The fund will “provide stable and predictable funding for municipalities to help support their local infrastructure priorities.”