2015-2016 Departmental Performance Report (DPR)

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Minister's Message

As Canada's Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, I am pleased to present Infrastructure Canada's Departmental Performance Report for 2015-2016. This report outlines the Department's achievements over the past year to deliver on the Government of Canada's commitment to create jobs and grow the middle class while building a strong foundation for a sustainable economic future.

Infrastructure Canada has made significant progress to advance the Government's overarching goal to rebuild Canada for the 21^st century. In Budget 2016, the Government announced a historic plan to invest more than $120 billion in infrastructure over the next 10 years.

Working closely with our partners we have made tremendous progress in delivering Phase 1 of our infrastructure plan, and over the course of three months, we were able to finalize bilateral agreements with all provinces and territories. While Phase 1 is mostly focused on short-term projects around recapitalization, repair, modernization and improving accessibility of existing infrastructure, the next phase of our plan will focus on longer-term, new, transformative projects that communities need to thrive and compete in today's economy.

To identify priorities for Phase 2, throughout the spring and summer of 2016, we engaged with Canadians from coast to coast to coast. We built stronger partnerships with provinces, territories, municipalities and Indigenous communities, and listened to stakeholders and Canadians to better understand their infrastructure needs. In September, I hosted the first ever federal-provincial-territorial meeting on infrastructure and invited the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to talk to us about delivering results for Canadian communities. I am confident that the feedback we have gathered will help us develop an infrastructure plan that will meet the real needs of Canadians and communities.

As we set the stage for Phase 2, we continued to deliver our ongoing infrastructure programs and to successfully implement the New Champlain Bridge Corridor Project. This world-class project is creating jobs and once complete, will foster economic growth by improving connections across Eastern Canada and ensuring the continuous and safe flow of people and goods.

In the past year, the Infrastructure and Communities portfolio also grew to include oversight of two additional nationally-significant infrastructure projects: the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which will provide a new border crossing between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan, and the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative. The benefits of both of these projects are far-reaching and will contribute to Canada's continued success in the global economy and as a tourist destination.

In the coming year, I will continue to address the Government of Canada's priorities and meet the commitments outlined in my mandate letter ⁱ. I am confident that my colleagues at Infrastructure Canada will support me in delivering the investments that will build strong, inclusive and sustainable communities where middle class Canadians want to live, work, play and raise their families.

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

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