Infrastructure programs available in Western Canada

What is the WD connection?

Modern infrastructure, such as water management, sanitation, transportation and communication plays an important role in enhancing the quality of life, economic growth and competitiveness of communities across Western Canada. To further support economic growth in Western Canada, Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) delivers national infrastructure initiatives on behalf of the Government of Canada in the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. These initiatives include the program under Canada’s Economic Action Plan and a variety of programs on behalf of Infrastructure Canada. Programs delivered by WD on behalf of Infrastructure Canada are generally cost-shared between the federal, provincial and municipal governments.

What infrastructure programs does WD deliver?

The Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF) is a new, two-year national program that will invest over $46 million in the West for the rehabilitation and improvement of existing community infrastructure that is non-commercial and accessible to the public.

WD delivers the following national infrastructure programs in Western Canada on behalf of Infrastructure Canada.

Building Canada Fund

The Building Canada Fund (BCF) continues to invest $8.8 billion nationally 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 stronger, more prosperous communities.

WD, in partnership with the four western provinces and Infrastructure Canada, will invest $513.5 million in federal funding in 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

Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund

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.

While the application process has closed, WD continues to invest $276.4 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 
  

Canada Strategic 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 Saskatchewan.

What has been accomplished?

Infrastructure programs delivered by WD have created jobs and helped to improve the quality of life and the competitiveness of Western Canada. Infrastructure programs previously delivered by WD with proven results include the following:

The Infrastructure Canada Program (ICP), which ended in 2011, 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 duration of the program, WD approved approximately $544 million for over 1,600 projects in Western Canada. These projects resulted in: almost 1.4 million households connected to municipal water service that will improve potable water quality; 293,069 households with improved wastewater treatment; 400 communities benefiting from safer roads, new and/or improved public transportation; and 290 communities benefiting from improved sports, recreation and cultural facilities.

For complete ICP results, refer to the Cumulative Impact Table (2010-11) which provides a summary of ICP outcomes for Western Canada.

The Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program, part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, invested $500 million in recreational facilities across Canada over a two-year period (2009-2011). This national initiative provided a temporary economic stimulus to help reduce the impact of the global recession while renewing, upgrading and expanding recreational infrastructure in Canadian communities. WD was allocated almost $153 million to invest in recreational infrastructure projects in the four western provinces. WD approved 718 projects, which utilized all available project funds for Western Canada. For examples of WD RInC projects and initiatives that are making a difference, consult our series of Economic Action Plan updates called Success in the West.

Under Canada's Economic Action Plan the Building Canada Fund, the Communities Component fund was expanded with a national top-up of $500 million. As a result of the top-up funds, an additional 164 smaller-scale projects that improve water, wastewater, public transit, local roads and other types of community infrastructure were supported across Western Canada with a federal investment of $138.8 million.

What's on the horizon?

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

Who can I contact for more information?

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).