Infrastructure Canada programs in Western Canada

What is Infrastructure Canada?

Infrastructure Canada – part of the federal department of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities – creates and manages programs to help maintain and create shared physical assets that support economic growth and quality of life in communities across Canada. Projects undertaken through Infrastructure Canada programs are generally cost-shared between the federal, provincial and municipal governments.

What's the WD connection?

Infrastructure is a significant priority for WD, because of the role modern infrastructure – such as water management, sanitation, transportation and communication – plays in supporting and enhancing competitiveness. We deliver Infrastructure Canada programs in the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.

What programs are available?

The $1 billion Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) makes strategic investments to improve and increase the stock of core public infrastructure in areas such as water, wastewater, culture and recreation. At least 80% of MRIF funding is earmarked for municipalities with populations of less than 250,000.

Over the next five years, WD will invest $278.3 million in Western Canada through the MRIF. Details of the agreements in each of the western provinces can be found through the links, below:

• Canada-Saskatchewan Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund
• Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure Program - Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund
• Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund
• Canada-British Columbia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund 

The $4 billion Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF)  invests in large-scale infrastructure projects which are beyond the scope and capacity of existing infrastructure programs. CSIF emphasizes partnerships with any combination of municipal, provincial, territorial governments, as well as the private sector, and each partnership is governed by specifically tailored arrangements. CSIF projects support local priorities such as water quality and access, trade corridors, broadband connectivity, sustainable urban growth and northern infrastructure. Investments are made in areas that improve quality of life and economic growth. WD delivers CSIF projects in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia.

The Building Canada Fund (BCF) will invest $8.8 billion in infrastructure projects by targeting the unique challenges of local and regional communities, while advancing national priorities important to all Canadians – a stronger economy, a cleaner environment and better communities.

WD, in partnership with the provinces and Infrastructure Canada, will invest over $513M in federal funding for Western Canada through the Communities Component of the program, which targets projects in communities with populations less than 100,000. The Communities Component funds projects related to safe drinking water, disaster mitigation, brownfield redevelopment, and local roads and bridges. Details of the agreements in each of the western provinces can be found through the links, below:

• Canada-British Columbia Building Canada Fund
• Canada-Alberta Building Canada Fund
• Canada-Saskatchewan Building Canada Fund
• Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure Secretariat

For more information on Infrastructure Canada programs in the West, please contact the WD office nearest you, or call us at 1 888 338 -WEST (9378).

What has been accomplished?

The original Infrastructure Canada program (ICP), which ended in 2005, was created to develop Canada's physical infrastructure through green projects that improve water and waste systems, address transportation and recycling issues, and enhance community facilities. Over the five year program, WD approved approximately $544 million dollars for over 1,600 projects in Western Canada. These projects are expected to result in: 22,950 households connected to a municipal water supply; 31,415 households connected to a municipal wastewater system; and 1.3 million households connected to municipal water service that will improve potable water quality. Other projects will provide local transportation infrastructure in over 188 communities, improve sports, recreation and cultural facilities in 104 communities, and create 1,325 permanent jobs.

What's on the horizon?

WD will continue to play an important role in the administration of infrastructure programs in Western Canada. See the provincial program sites and the Infrastructure Canada site for the latest news.