Excellent. Thank you very much for having us here before the committee.
I'm particularly pleased that, from the reports of the committee's work in recent years, by all accounts it's one of the most constructive committees. It's not a partisan or political committee; it's one where people work together and accomplish things. I was very pleased to learn that. I look forward to working with each and every one of you in the days, weeks, and months ahead.
We're here today to talk about the estimates, though. From the last number of times I've been before estimates committees, often there are questions that fall outside that, which I'd certainly welcome a dialogue on. We're committed to working together with members from all parties on the important issues of transport and infrastructure.
Since being asked by the Prime Minister to accelerate our infrastructure investments, I've travelled across the country and consulted with provincial, territorial, and municipal leaders. These consultations have really bred an unprecedented consensus. All levels of government have come together and agree that we need to get federal approvals done more quickly and get infrastructure projects moving right across the country, from sea to sea to sea.
During this time of global economic uncertainty, I think it will be an important part of our economic action plan. That's where we were able to find agreement on a five-point action plan that we presented to first ministers not a few weeks ago—and I'll have more to say on that shortly.
As you know, as I look back at the work of this committee, I especially want to highlight the work that's been done by many of you on making recommendations to the Navigable Waters Protection Act. This act is one of the oldest pieces of legislation still on the books. In fact, it was passed during the days of Sir John A. Macdonald and is badly outdated, as many of you have argued at this table.
We're moving quickly to cut the red tape that the act ties around so many projects in Canada, both large and small. We're giving the act teeth so that we can make a difference in what really counts. The amendments based on the input of this committee will speed up many projects significantly while ensuring that we maintain environmental protection where it needs to be for major works. Veteran members of this committee can be proud of the work they've done on that act, and I look forward to working with the newly elected members of the committee on these issues as well.
I congratulate you on your election to the committee and desire to work with a committee that is working on issues that are at the top of the government's agenda and the public agenda. The government wants to keep Canadians working and keep Canada strong. We're doing this by making strategic investments in projects that are building roads and bridges, border crossings, and transportation hubs. The value of these projects is twofold: it will help get people working today and also make a difference in the lives of Canadians for many, many years to come.
I've been working with other levels of government to make sure their infrastructure investments have the desired result. Since being named minister, I've met with premiers and infrastructure ministers from every province and territory. I've also met with dozens of mayors and other municipal leaders. These people represent different political points of view and various levels of government, but as I mentioned earlier, I did find a broad consensus.
That led us to our five-point action plan to speed up infrastructure approval and investments that we announced last month after the first ministers met here in Ottawa. The plan includes working with provinces and territories to put key major infrastructure projects on a fast track through the Building Canada major infrastructure component, offering all remaining provincial- and territorial-based funds over the next two years in order to start more infrastructure projects in the short term, accelerating projects and funding in smaller communities to create jobs over the next two construction seasons when our economy needs these most, reducing duplication and streamlining federal processes to address potential environmental and other impact of projects, and fast-tracking federal review and approval processes to get important projects started sooner.
The first ministers unanimously endorsed a consensus document that supports all these objectives. Premiers from all political stripes agree that this plan can help create jobs and build a better Canada. We all want to cut red tape and duplication, simplify the application process, and have a clearer, less bureaucratic process for the Government of Canada to approve projects.
Our infrastructure plan delivers results for Canadians now, during the economic storm, and in the future, when our investments will give us a competitive edge. We have agreements in place that determine what's eligible and what's not, and we are committed to promptly paying invoices sent by the provinces and municipalities as they come in. Remember, they are the ones that implement these projects, so they need and we need their commitment to help us ensure that Canadians are working at building a better Canada.
History, though, has shown us that major infrastructure programs can take time to properly launch, and there are a good number of examples in recent years under the previous government on those. We are moving as aggressively as we can to make things happen, to give a green light from the federal government so that funds can flow and the construction projects can begin and be taken forward.
I'll give that as my abbreviated remarks and ask Minister Merrifield whether he has any other issues he'd like to raise.