Infrastructure spending: In the Government's own words

As MPs gear up for the coming political season, infrastructure spending is sure to be front and centre. Canwest News Service recently published a series on the state of Canada's infrastructure by my colleague Mike De Souza. Here, from some records I've received over the last few months through Access to Information requests are some notes on infrastructure spending.

From Transport Canada request: A-2007-00858:

Through Budget 2007, this Government committed to the largest investment in infrastructure in Canada's history over an unprecedented period of time – $33 billion in new funding over seven years. This includes long-term predictable funding for municipalities through extension of the Gas Tax Fund at $2 billion per year for an additional four years (until 2013-14) and the 100% rebate on all GST that municipalities pay. (from a House Card updated on Oct. 18, 2007)

The Building Canada Plan, as the government calls it, includes:

• $8.8 billion Building Canada Fund for provincial, territorial and municipal projects like highways, water, and wasterwater infrastructure, and transit.
• $2.1 billion for Gateways and Border Crossings Fund
• $1.26 billion for the public-private partnership (P3) fund.
• $1 billion for the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative

From Transport Canada request: A-2007-00858:

A national transit strategy (funding)

• Budget 2007 announced $33 billion of new funding over seven years – that represents about $5 billion per year in new investments. This is an unprecedented level of funding.

• A significant portion of this funding is eligible to support transit, if provinces and municipalities choose to make it a priority investment.

• Given that this funding has yet to be allocated, how can there be arguments that more funding is needed?

• With all the federal funding currently on the table, a national transit strategy would ensure that funding from all levels of government and users is invested in the most efficient manner.

• Discussions are already taking place with provinces and territories, and other interested partners, on a national transit strategy. We will develop this strategy in the spirit of this Government's commitment to the values of open federalism.

….

Over the coming weeks, Infrastructure and Transport Canada will continue discussions with provinces, territories and the municipal sector regarding the Building Canada Plan and the implementation of related initi atives. including the National Transit Strategy. (From a House Card updated Sept. 19, 2007)