We are pleased to present Infrastructure Canada’s Departmental Plan for 2022-23. This plan outlines the Department’s commitment to invest in infrastructure that helps build strong communities, fight climate change and grow the economy. Working closely with provincial, territorial, municipal and Indigenous partners, Infrastructure Canada will continue to deliver results that improve the quality of life for all Canadians.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of ensuring all communities have access to the infrastructure people need. As we work toward economic recovery and begin to build back better, infrastructure investments will create good jobs, protect the health and well-being of Canadians, reduce emissions, and make our economy more sustainable.

Infrastructure Canada will go further to build resiliency through the infrastructure elements of Canada’s first National Adaptation Strategy, including by creating open-access climate toolkits and supporting projects that contribute to achieving net-zero emissions.

As Canadian communities face increasing risks of natural disasters as a result of climate change, we must continue to mitigate their impacts and invest in climate-resilient infrastructure. Advancing our work through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund will help keep Canadians safe and make sure communities are able to withstand damage caused by climate change and extreme weather.

Ongoing investment in green and inclusive community buildings, clean power and sustainable water and wastewater solutions is key to protecting the environment. As we move towards a net-zero, low-carbon, and resilient future, this will help us cut pollution and build a cleaner future for everyone. As well, through the Natural Infrastructure Fund, we will invest in projects to protect the natural environment, increase access to green spaces that promotes recreation and social connection, and foster healthy communities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of ensuring safe access to community spaces. Across the country, the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure stream is supporting upgrades to ventilation systems in public buildings, and, starting this year, will invest an additional $70 million to support projects in our hospitals, libraries, and other community buildings. Likewise, funding through the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative is helping communities adapt local public infrastructure so Canadians have access to public spaces that allow them to connect with each other, and stay active.

As we create and strengthen public infrastructure, we must consider the infrastructure that meets a variety of community needs. Ensuring services, supports and housing to prevent and reduce homelessness will help foster more inclusion in Canadian communities. Under Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy, Infrastructure Canada will play a leadership role setting national policy objectives and bringing together various players for a collaborative approach to preventing and reducing homelessness in Canada.

Reliable and accessible public transit gives people easier, faster, and cleaner ways to get where they need to go. By investing in public transit, we’re keeping our air clean and creating good, middle class jobs across the country. With a permanent transit fund, more communities will be able to build the transit they need now, and help them plan ahead to create sustainable and liveable communities. Through the three dedicated transit streams—the Zero Emission Transit Fund, Active Transportation Fund, and Rural Transit Solutions Fund—we are supporting cleaner public transit systems, active lifestyles, and transit solutions tailored to the needs of rural and remote communities.

In collaboration with other federal departments, provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous communities and other stakeholders, we remain focused on our shared priorities, including increasing economic growth, supporting climate resilience, advancing reconciliation, reducing emissions, and improving the quality of life for Canadians. Advancing work on Canada’s first National Infrastructure Assessment will be an important tool to identify Canada’s long-term infrastructure needs and priorities, and ensure our investments support a strong, inclusive, and green economic recovery.

Through its major bridge projects, Infrastructure Canada continues to support economic growth by ensuring the efficient flow of people and goods alongside portfolio organizations and the private sector. Developing and managing relationships with the private sector will allow us to continue leveraging alternative financing options when delivering public infrastructure projects. Private Public Partnerships and alternative finance models will continue to be an important focus as we explore how to achieve better returns on infrastructure investments for Canadians.

When we invest in infrastructure, we are creating strong and resilient communities, driving economic growth, and helping to make life better for all Canadians. We encourage you to review this Departmental Plan to learn more about how we will deliver for Canadians in 2022-23.