Evidence of meeting #64 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 41st Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was projects.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Program Operations Branch, Infrastructure Canada
Do you mean of the program's terms and conditions?
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
The categories that I just recited that you mentioned....
Assistant Deputy Minister, Program Operations Branch, Infrastructure Canada
We have that and we can definitely provide it.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
And that policy doesn't need to be backed up by regulation or anything, but is just set out by the department after consultation?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Program Operations Branch, Infrastructure Canada
It's approved by Treasury Board.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
So I suppose if anyone wanted to renew the green infrastructure fund and wanted to alter those and include other items, one would go to Treasury Board for approval. Is that correct?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Program Operations Branch, Infrastructure Canada
If there's any new programming, then the way we would be instructed in how to deliver it would be by final approval from Treasury Board.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
I had occasion to announce funding for some green projects in Kitchener under what was described to me as the CIFF, community infrastructure improvement fund. Is that one of your targeted...? Is that the community's component that you're talking about, because Kitchener has more than 100,000 people.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Program Operations Branch, Infrastructure Canada
I mentioned that Infrastructure Canada has a lead in delivering a lot of infrastructure programs, but that particular program you mentioned is delivered by the regional development agencies.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
So it's FedDev. Okay.
So there is other infrastructure funding apart from the ones you have the lead in, and those might be through regional development agencies like FedDev.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Program Operations Branch, Infrastructure Canada
That's right, and there may be a few other pieces. The programs are designed in a way to be most efficient and effective, so if it makes sense for another department to deliver certain elements, then that would be done.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
Are the 17 categories under the gas tax fund written down in a policy or regulation?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Program Operations Branch, Infrastructure Canada
They're not regulations but, yes, they're all available publicly.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
Could you help us out? I know I'm asking you to do some of my homework, but since you're here, would you give us a copy of where those 17 categories are written down. Again, is that a case where, if we wanted to add a category, it would be necessary, after consultation, to go and justify it to Treasury Board and they could do that?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Program Operations Branch, Infrastructure Canada
Well, there's no process for individuals to petition Treasury Board.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
I'm not speaking about individuals, but about the committee and what it might recommend. But it would be a process that would require Treasury Board approval.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Program Operations Branch, Infrastructure Canada
Any program that comes forward first requires cabinet approval and then Treasury Board approval for the terms and conditions.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
Even if it's just a policy and not a regulation...?
Okay, thank you.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
You mentioned that in the gas tax fund there are criteria that things must be environmentally sustainable. Can you elaborate on that and tell me what the criteria are regarding environmental sustainability in the gas tax fund?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Program Operations Branch, Infrastructure Canada
Well, the gas tax fund's stated objective is to support and target sustainable municipal infrastructure. It's public transit, waste water, community energy systems, and solid waste. It has cleaner air, cleaner water, and GHG reduction objectives.
Did you want other examples?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Harold Albrecht
We have to cut it off there. We'll come back to it if we have time.
Thank you, Ms. Woodworth.
Ms. Duncan.
Liberal
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to you all. This is interesting.
As Ms. Leslie said, this is not antagonistic. We really are trying to get some information. As you said, the green infrastructure fund started in 2009. If I remember correctly, it was $1 billion. When I look at what other countries did, they spent $221 billion in China, and $112 billion in the U.S. I think we lost some opportunities here, albeit I know you can't comment on that. But when we're good to the environment it pays off on the bottom line.
You said that all of that money has been allocated. Do we know when it will be rolled out?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Program Operations Branch, Infrastructure Canada
We're in the various phases. A number of the projects are starting or have started. These are pretty complex, major projects. The initial phases, after approvals are given, include a whole lot of planning and a lot of elements before actual construction starts. But they're all on track to go forward.
Liberal
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
I noticed in your presentation that there's a major infrastructure component of national or regional significance, and then a community component, and it's a population of less than 100. I don't have a lot of information there, but there seems to be somewhat of a gap. Can you explain the justification there?