2018-19 Departmental Results Report
Results: what we achieved


Core Responsibility

Public infrastructure

Description

Implement the Government of Canada's infrastructure plan to enable strategic investments in core public infrastructure that will create long-term growth; improve the resilience of communities and transition to a clean growth economy; and improve social inclusion and the socio-economic outcomes of Canadians. This work is done in partnership with provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous communities, other federal departments and agencies, and private sector and not-for-profit organizations. It includes delivering funding to infrastructure projects as well as building capacity for improved asset management and evidence-based planning.

Results

Result 1: Infrastructure projects are funded and supported by Infrastructure Canada

In 2018–19, the Department spent $5.6 billion. This continues the steady increase in Departmental spending, up from $4.3 billion spent in 2017-18, and $3.2 billion spent in 2016-17.

Infrastructure Canada committed just under $8.5 billion in federal funding to new transit, green energy, waterworks, flood protection and community infrastructure projects – to name a few. Some of these new funding commitments were drawn from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, which became operational in all provinces and territories. This level of funding commitment surpasses that of 2018-19 by $2.5 billion.

Infrastructure Canada also assisted the Crown Corporations in its portfolio in fulfilling important commitments in 2018-19:

  • Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority selected a private-sector partner, Bridging North America, and signed a $5.7-billion contract to design, build and operate the Gordie Howe International Bridge;
  • the Canada Infrastructure Bank made its first investment of $1.28 billion in Montreal's $6.3-billion light rail system, also known as the Réseau express métropolitain.
Result 2: Public infrastructure is managed in a more sustainable way

In August 2018, the first dataset from Canada's Core Public Infrastructure surveyxx was released. This presented, for the first time, a comprehensive national snapshot of Canada's infrastructure stock, its condition and its performance. This first dataset documented nine asset classes: roads, tunnels and bridges; potable water; wastewater; storm water; public transit; solid waste; culture, recreational and sports; and social and affordable housing. In addition, the survey examined asset management strategies.

The Department also released data through the Infrastructure Economic Account, xxi which presents information related to the size, role and economic impact of infrastructure on the Canadian economy and that of the provinces and territories, and launched the Infrastructure Statistics Hubxxii, which provides easy access to this wide range of data. The Department also collaborated with Statistics Canada to build on lessons learned for the second round of Canada’s Core Public Infrastructure survey, which is launching in the fall of 2019, as well as to enhance the Capital and Repair Expenditure Survey to provide much-needed data on the source of funds for infrastructure investments.

Larger municipalities are generally well-equipped to survey and manage their infrastructure assets, whereas smaller municipalities may have fewer resources. Infrastructure Canada’s Municipal Asset Management Program (MAMP)xxiii is delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities with a budget of $50 million over five years. This will help Canadian municipalities make informed infrastructure decisions based on sound asset management practices. Municipalities from Smithers, British Columbia to Shediac, New Brunswick received grants from this program to set up an inventory of their infrastructure assets and make strategic investment decisions. Thanks in great part to the new program, the number of municipalities that strengthened their asset management practices as a result of federal funding has doubled every year for the last two years, moving from fewer than 70 in 2016-17, to 150 in 2017-18, and reaching 325 in 2018-19.

In addition, the Department works in partnership with other levels of government to combine their resources in funding infrastructure. In 2018-19, the $8.5 billion Infrastructure Canada had committed to new projects was met by an additional $12.5 billion from other levels of government, which adds up to a total investment value of $21 billion.

In 2017-18, Infrastructure Canada supported the start-up of the Canada Infrastructure Bank, a new federal Crown corporation reporting to Parliament through the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. In 2018-19, the Canada Infrastructure Bank made its first investment, a $1.28–billion loan in support of the Réseau express métropolitain project in Montreal.

One of the 1,600 construction workers on the worksite of the Samuel De Champlain Bridge

Result 3: Rate of economic growth is increased in an inclusive and sustainable way

In 2018, the stock of Canada’s infrastructure was valued at $850 billion overall, representing 7.7% of our national wealth. The construction of new infrastructure assets was linked to approximately 585,500 jobs. Nationally, 54% of the total jobs were the result of direct investment, while 46% were from spin-offs in other industries.xxiv

To better distribute the opportunities generated by federal investments in infrastructure, the Department implemented a new Community Employment Benefitsxxv framework in 2018-19xxvi. Under this framework, select funding recipients report on contracts awarded to small, medium and social enterprises, and jobs given to apprentices, veterans, women, youth, persons with disabilities, new Canadians, Indigenous peoples or other selected groups.

In 2018-19, Edmonton, Calgary, Surrey and Vancouver agreed to report on the community employment benefits generated by the construction of their light rail transit projects. Further north, Inuvik is to track the community employment benefits generated by the construction of its new wind energy turbines.

The Department is also analysing projects under the lens of First Nations, Métis and Inuit rights, and requires project proponents to fulfill their Duty to Consult before they can receive their funding.

Infrastructure Canada is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunity through its infrastructure investments. In 2018-19, this resulted in the following:

  • A comprehensive community benefits plan was developed by Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority and its private-sector partner, Bridging North America, for the Gordie Howe International Bridge project in consultation with local communities, businesses, First Nations and other stakeholders. The plan provides opportunities for local and Indigenous workers and contractors to participate in the project, offers training and apprenticeships, and invests in neighbourhood infrastructure priorities.
  • Infrastructure Canada's private partner for the Samuel De Champlain Bridge Corridor Project – Signature on the Saint Lawrence (SSL) – received the Prix Reconnaissance Mixitéxxvii in recognition of its integration of women into the construction industry. Notably, SSL employed the most women holding a certificate of competence in the construction industry in Quebec in 2018.

As part of the Smart Cities Challengexxviii, the City of Guelph and Wellington County, Ontario received a finalist grant to develop a plan to create Canada's first circular food economy – where food is sourced locally, nothing is wasted, and much is recycled. A report presented at the World Economic Forum in Davos highlighted the project as an exemplary plan towards achieving a balanced food system for the planet.

The Government of Canada is in constant conversation with Canadians to better understand the opportunities and challenges they face. In 2018-19, the new Minister of Rural Economic Development and her Parliamentary Secretary met with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, academia, community leaders, Indigenous groups, and rural communities and associations in every province and territory. This prepared the way for Canada's first Rural Economic Development Strategy, which was released a few months after the close of the fiscal year.

Result 4: Improved urban mobility in Canadian communities

To advance urban mobility, 226 public transit projects were completed, with $421 million in support from Infrastructure Canada. Municipalities across the country renewed and expanded their bus fleets, often with hybrid and electric buses. They installed charging stations, built park-and-ride facilities, brought in new shelters and improved access to their stations for both pedestrians and cyclists. As part of a bid to create Canada's first two multimodal, collision-free transportation corridors, Vancouver and Surrey invited their residents to experience a driverless shuttle in February and March 2019.

In 2018-19, another 73 public transit projects were approved to receive a total of $4.9 billion in funding by the Department, drawing from the $20-billion Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and other existing programs. A sizeable portion of these new investments, $4 billion, supported the expansion of light rail and rapid transit systems in Edmonton, Calgary, Surrey and Vancouver. These projects will offer electricity-powered ways to get around, make transit a more attractive alternative to driving, and help grow pedestrian-friendly neighbourhoods.

Montreal is one of three Smart Cities Challengexxix finalists who developed multi-modal, integrated mobility plans in collaboration with local groups, and tailored some of their solutions to meet the unique mobility needs of seniors.

Result 5: Environmental quality is improved, GHG emissions are reduced and resilience of communities is increased

To provide Canadians with reliable access to clean drinking water, some 362 drinking water projects were completed in 2018-19, with $257 million in funding from Infrastructure Canada – an average of $710,336 in departmental funding per drinking water project. Aging water mains, pipes, and pumps have been replaced; new filtration and purification processes were brought in to produce higher-quality water with less energy and fewer chemicals; reliable sources of fresh water have been secured; water reserves have been expanded and back-up energy systems have been installed from coast to coast to coast. The 2018-19 fiscal year also saw the Department commit $119 million for 306 new drinking water projects to get underway.

To keep Canada's rivers, lakes and oceans healthy, close to 448 wastewater projects were completed in 2018-19 with over $191 million in support from Infrastructure Canada. Old storm water and wastewater systems have been separated so that heavy storms will no longer cause raw sewage overflows into our waterways. Household sewage and industrial wastewater treatment facilities continue to be upgraded to meet Environment Canada's new standards. In 2018-19, another $114 million has been committed for 305 new wastewater projects to get started.

In Cape Breton, NS, work started on an innovative wastewater digester that turns its sludge into biogas, which the digester then uses to power itself. In Surrey, BC, a state-of-the-art biofuel facility was completed that turns organic waste collected from curbsides into natural gas, which is then used to heat buildings, power trucks and fertilize fields.

In April 2018, an outstanding natural sitexxx opened its doors to the public in Port Coquitlam, BC, after being off limits for 40 years. Thanks in part to the $833,000 invested by Infrastructure Canada into this project, two sewage treatment ponds on a 27-acre site were cleaned up and transformed into a wetland habitat for aquatic, bird and other wildlife, with spaces for the public to interact with nature.

To help municipalities reduce their GHG emissions and prepare for the extreme summers, storms, floods and wildfires that climate change brings, the Department provides fundingxxxi for cities to include climate change considerations in their municipal planning activities. Infrastructure Canada also supports researchxxxii in new, climate-resilient design standards, and it introduced the Climate Lensxxxiii in the review process of selected projects to ensure GHG emissions and climate risks are duly considered before they receive funding.

To help communities protect their infrastructure and make it more resilient to climate change, the new, $2-billion Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund selected a first group of projects for funding, while the $9.2-billion Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and a host of existing funding programs also approved projects for funding. In total, Infrastructure Canada committed $844 million in funding to 52 disaster mitigation projects in 2018-19.

Toronto, Vaughan and Markham received over $120 million in funding commitments from Infrastructure Canada under the $2-billion Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fundxxxiv to mitigate the flash floods that have become common after heavy rainfalls. These municipalities will call upon a mixture of built infrastructure and natural system restoration, buttressed by sound regional planning. They are to rely on more expansive meadows, green roofs and other natural surfaces to absorb and delay the runoff from a storm water surge.  Wider pipes and bigger underground tanks will then funnel and store this rainwater, before gradually releasing it into surrounding waterways.

Greater Toronto is building its resiliency to extreme weather. In 2018-19, $100 million was committed to three projects in the area. The Canadian Press, Winston Neutel

Result 6: Canadian communities are inclusive and accessible

Municipalities across Canada have been reshaping their streets to make more room for greenery, terraces, pedestrians and cyclists. The ‘complete street' design as it is known, offers a safe space for everyone and goes a long way to supporting a spirit of community.

Roncevalles in Toronto: an example of the ‘complete streets' appearing in cities across Canada.Copyright Queen's Printer for Ontario, source: Ontario Growth Secretariat, Ministry of Municipal Affairs.

Infrastructure Canada also supports the construction of recreation facilities, waterparks, cycling trails, wharfs, and a host of other spaces where people can meet their neighbours and engage in healthy activities. In 2018-19, the Department committed $344 million in funding for 403 projects through a variety of funding programs, including the $1.3-billion Community, Cultural and Recreation Infrastructure stream and the $2.0-billion Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure stream under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

Inclusivity and accessibility are important to the Department and its partners, who earmarked funding for projects that help bring urban Indigenous communities together. Infrastructure Canada has also been supporting multiuse, multigenerational and multicultural facilities. Examples include a project in Calgary that brings together a fitness centre, a community kitchen, childcare, job skills training and language instruction under the same roof, as well as projects in Goose Bay in Labrador and Dieppe, NB, that support activities ranging from competitive sports to childcare.

Libraries are also drivers of social inclusion: they are places where children have story time, seniors learn computer skills and newcomers to Canada access services and programs. In 2018-19 Infrastructure Canada committed close to $7 million in funding for communities across Quebec to renovate and expand their libraries, including Rimouski, where the library will be moved into an old presbytery.

Reliable, high-speed is essential for business growth, skills training, public safety, access to services, and participation in the democratic process. In 2018-19, Infrastructure Canada committed funding to bring state-of-the-art internet coverage to residents of Prince Edward Island and the Laurentians in Quebec.

The Okanagan Rail Trailxxxv opened in 2018: once all sections are completed, this 50km cycling path will run from Coldstream to Kelowna. Infrastructure Canada contributed $1.36 million to this project. Image courtesy of tourismkelowna.com - Aaron Theisen & Seekers Media

     

A group of Nunavut communitiesxxxvi received a finalist grant from the Smart Cities Challengexxxvii to develop their plan for a network of permanent Makerspaces within each of their communities. These Makerspaces will be safe and nurturing social hubs for youth, providing digital and STEAM-basedxxxviii learning activities that align with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles such as collaboration, creative problem-solving and knowledge-sharing.

Infrastructure helps people lead healthy lives, reach their full potential and build strong communities. The breadth and flexibility of funding programs administered by the Department, its tradition of partnership and its recent consultation of rural and remote communities allow the Department to tailor its support to the unique potential and aspirations of each community.

Results achieved

This table outlines the six departmental results and their progress over the last three years.

Departmental Results

Performance indicators

TargetFootnote 1

Date to achieve target

2018–19
Actual
results

2017–18
Actual
results

2016–17
Actual
results

Result 1: Infrastructure projects are funded and supported by Infrastructure Canada

1.1: INFC funding committed to projectsFootnote 2

$4,915,229,800

2018–19

$8,472,838,904

$6,002,837,136

$9,260,180,546

1.2: Value of INFC's funding contribution in the fiscal yearFootnote 3

$6,093,494,958

2018–19

$5,592,897,292

$4,269,183,886

$3,159,474,911

1.3: Implementation status and oversight of major bridge projects

Yes

March 31, 2019

Yes

Yes

Not available

Result 2: Public infrastructure is managed in a more sustainable way

2.1: Total annual investments from all levels of government in infrastructure projects supported by INFCFootnote 4

$8,894,195,903

2018–19

$20,931,752,734

$14,701,938,998

$21,395,912,044

2.2: Percentage of municipalities that strengthened their asset management practices as a result of federal fundingFootnote 5

5%

2018–19

9%

4.2%

1.92%

2.3: Change in remaining useful life of infrastructure assetsFootnote 6

57.8%

March 31, 2020

56.6%

57.8%Footnote 7

57.7%Footnote 8

Result 3: Rate of economic growth is increased in an inclusive and sustainable way

3.1: Change in real GDP attributable to federal investments in infrastructureFootnote 9

Not available

Not available

$45.0 billion

$44.2 billionFootnote 10

$42.5 billionFootnote 11

Result 4: Improved urban mobility in Canadian communities

4.1: Percentage of Canadians living within 400 metres of a transit station or stopFootnote 12

Not available

Not available

Not availableFootnote 13

77.5%Footnote 14

77.5%Footnote 15

4.2: Modal share of public transit and active transportation

24.2%

December
2028

19.3%Footnote 16

19.3%Footnote 17

19.3%Footnote 18

Result 5: Environmental quality is improved, GHG emissions are reduced and resilience of communities is increased

5.1: Percentage of municipalities that built or enhanced their capacity to reduce GHG emissions and adapt to climate change as a result of federal fundingFootnote 19

5.3%

2018–19

3.5%

4.7%

3.33%

5.2: Percentage of municipalities that built or enhanced their drinking water system as a result of federal fundingFootnote 20

5.8%

2018–19

7.8%

12.1%

4.58%

5.3: Percentage of municipalities that built or enhanced their wastewater treatment system as a result of federal fundingFootnote 21

4.75%

2018–19

8.3%

10.6%

3.83%

Result 6: Canadian communities are inclusive and accessible

6.1: Number of community, cultural and recreational facilities that were enhanced or built as a result of federal funding, and are accessibleFootnote 22

78

2018–19

201

251

138

6.2: Number of public transit systems that were enhanced or built as a result of federal funding, and are accessibleFootnote 23

190

2018–19

226

385

68

Budgetary financial resources for core responsibility (dollars)

2018–19
Main Estimates

2018–19
Planned spending

2018–19
Total authorities available for use

2018–19
Actual spending
(authorities used)

2018–19 Difference
(Actual spending minus Planned spending)

$6,093,494,958

$6,093,494,958

$6,646,393,022

$5,592,897,292

$(500,597,666)

Human resources for core responsibility (full-time equivalents)

2018–19
Planned full-time equivalents

2018–19
Actual full-time equivalents

2018–19
Difference
(Actual full-time equivalents minus Planned full-time equivalents)

262

266

4

Financial, human resources and performance information for Infrastructure Canada's Program Inventory is available in the GC InfoBasexxxix .

Internal Services

Description

Internal Services are those groups of related activities and resources that the federal government considers to be services in support of programs and/or required to meet corporate obligations of an organization. Internal Services refers to the activities and resources of the 10 distinct service categories that support Program delivery in the organization, regardless of the Internal Services delivery model in a department. The 10 service categories are: 

  • Acquisition Management Services
  • Communications Services
  • Financial Management Services
  • Human Resources Management Services
  • Information Management Services
  • Information Technology Services
  • Legal Services
  • Materiel Management Services
  • Management and Oversight Services
  • Real Property Management Services
Results

The Department rolled out new, whole-of-government standard document and record management solutions also referred to as GCdocs. It also announced the implementation of a new digital briefcase initiative to better equip all employees with the modern tools and technology they need to be more mobile and to work more efficiently.

In 2018-19, the Department launched the Infrastructure Recipient Information Systems (IRIS), a new web portal to collect project results.

Infrastructure Canada also piloted a new approach to flow funds to projects faster by making payments as construction work takes place, under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

Two short-term programs launched in 2016-17xl were audited. As well, the impact of a range of infrastructure programs within the specific context of the Territories was assessed, using innovative audit and evaluation techniques. Improvements made to programs and processes further to these reports will enable the Department to reduce risks and be more efficient.

The Department developed centres of expertise to assess how diverse groups may experience its policies, programs and initiatives (using an analytical process called Gender-based Analysis Plus, or GBA+), and to work towards strengthening its relationship with the First Nations, Métis and Inuit people of Canada.

The Department also developed and began implementing its Strategic Human Resources Management Plan with a focus on three pillars: recruitment and staffing, talent management and workplace of choice. A study of alternative operating models was carried out and steps were taken to stabilize the Department's human resources funding.

Budgetary financial resources for internal services (dollars)

2018–19 Main Estimates

2018–19 Planned spending

2018–19 Total authorities available for use

2018–19 Actual spending (authorities used)

2018–19 Difference (Actual spending minus Planned spending)

$57,324,059

$57,324,059

$61,354,440

$61,354,440

$4,030,381

Human resources for internal services (full-time equivalents)

2018–19
Planned full-time equivalents

2018–19
Actual full-time equivalents

2018–19
Difference
(Actual full-time equivalents minus Planned full-time equivalents)

258

261

3

Footnotes

Footnote 1

All targets are minimums except for the Yes/No Target in 1.3.

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Footnote 2

Total federal funding committed (or approved) to new projects in the fiscal year. It does not include funding delivered through the Gas Tax Fund.

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Footnote 3

This is the total amount of INFC's Actual Spending (Authorities Used, excluding internal services) in the fiscal year.

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Footnote 4

This indicator captures the total value of the infrastructure projects that were approved by Infrastructure Canada in the fiscal year. It reflects the total investments from all levels of government in these projects, including Infrastructure Canada's own investments. It does not include funding delivered through the Gas Tax Fund.

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Footnote 5

This indicator represents the percentage of municipalities who, in the course of fiscal year 2018–19, strengthened their asset management practices as a result of federal funding.

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Footnote 6

This measure represents the average of remaining useful life in infrastructure assets as a percentage level, not the change in remaining useful life. Source: Infrastructure Economic Account (INFEA), Statistics Canada. INFEA measures remaining useful life as a percent to normalize results across all asset types. Change can be calculated by comparing one year to the next.

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Footnote 7

Since its original capture in February 2019, for publication in the 2019-20 Departmental Plan, this value has changed due to ongoing statistical and methodological updates to the Infrastructure Economic Account. In the fall of 2019, the 2017-18 actual results stood at 56.3%. Source: Statistics Canada. Table 36-10-0611-01 Infrastructure Economic Accounts, average age and remaining useful service life ratio by asset and asset function.

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Footnote 8

Since its original capture in February 2019, for publication in the 2019-20 Departmental Plan, this value has changed due to ongoing statistical and methodological updates to the Infrastructure Economic Account. In the fall of 2019, the 2016-17 actual results stood at 56.1%

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Footnote 9

This indicator represents the value added to the Canadian economy from all public infrastructure investments within a given fiscal year (not just federal). The value added is equivalent to the gross output of the production of infrastructure assets less intermediate inputs and imports. Source: Infrastructure Economic Account (INFEA), Statistics Canada (accessed Feb 5, 2019).This target represents the value of GDP in current dollars attributed to investments for public infrastructure assets. Change can be seen by comparing one year to the next.

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Footnote 10

$42.5 billion is the value captured in the winter 2017-18, for publication in the 2018-19 Departmental Plan. Since then, it has been updated to $43.4 billion.

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Footnote 11

$44.2 billion is the value captured in the winter 2016-17, for publication in the 2018-19 Departmental Plan. Since then, it has been updated to $39.2 billion.

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Footnote 12

This indicator relies on data generated bi-annually by the Canadian Core Public Infrastructure Survey (CCPI). This measure is based on data collected from public transit authorities and governments that were sampled for the CCPI. Respondents were asked to report the percentage of residents within their service area that lived within 400 m of a bus stop or station. The figure represents an average of these percentages at the national level. As a result of these caveats, data from these tables were not publicly disseminated but have been included in this report as a proxy. Furthermore, in 2019 this data point was under revision, with a view on substituting 500 m to the 400 m used in the 2016 and 2018 editions of the survey.

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Footnote 13

The data collected under the Canadian Core Public Infrastructure Survey (CCPI) in 2018 will be available in May 2020. See the note above for important information on this data point.

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Footnote 14

The 2017-18 results are drawn from the 2016 results of Canada's Core Public Infrastructure Survey (CCPI) – repeating the value captured for 2016-17. See the note above for important information on this data point.

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Footnote 15

The 2016–17 results are drawn from the 2016 results of Canada's Core Public Infrastructure Survey (CCPI). See the note above for important information on this data point.

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Footnote 16

The 2018-19 results for modal share are drawn from the 2016 Census – repeating the value captured for 2016-17.

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Footnote 17

The 2017-18 results for modal share are drawn from the 2016 Census – repeating the value captured for 2016-17.

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Footnote 18

The 2016–17 results for modal share are drawn from the 2016 Census.

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Footnote 19

This indicator represents the percentage of municipalities who, in the course of a given fiscal year, built or enhanced their capacity to reduce GHG emissions and adapt to climate change as a result of federal funding.

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Footnote 20

This indicator represents the percentage of municipalities who, in the course of a given fiscal year, built or enhanced their drinking water system as a result of federal funding.

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Footnote 21

This indicator represents the percentage of municipalities who, in the course of a given fiscal year, built or enhanced their wastewater treatment system as a result of federal funding.

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Footnote 22

This indicator represents the number of community, cultural and recreational facilities enhanced or built as a result of federal funding in a given fiscal year.

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Footnote 23

This indicator represents the number of transit systems enhanced or built as a result of federal funding in a given fiscal year.

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