Evidence of meeting #15 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was million.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:40 p.m.
Liberal
4:40 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Infrastructure Canada
That's an excellent question that you've raised. It hasn't come up extensively yet in the discussions that we've been having with the provinces and territories, because we don't have final lists of projects yet. I think that will help us understand better what the scale of that challenge might be, and it will be something that we will then need to sit down and see if there is some kind of staging that we can do in conjunction with the provinces.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
I have a number of questions. I'll go through them quickly to get as much information as possible. First, a question for Ms. Laroche from Infrastructure Canada.
In the figures you announced, are any amounts specifically earmarked for initiatives that have already been identified?
4:40 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Infrastructure Canada
Thank you for your question.
Two initiatives are identified in Budget 2016. Both are related to natural disasters. For the Lake St. Martin canal, in Winnipeg, we have allocated $12 million. The other is the Lions Gate waste water system in British Columbia, for which $11.7 million has been allocated.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
So that's $23 million of the one billion dollars announced. How do you plan to invest that amount this year?
4:45 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Infrastructure Canada
The programs were created to carry out renovations. The funds will not be used to expand the systems. It's really—
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
Yes, I am aware of that.
As a former mayor though, I know that even for renovations, you have to issue a request for proposals and conduct studies and analyses. You are seeking additional funding this year, but it takes more than a year to prepare a project and to reach the investment stage. Do you expect to invest these sums this year?
4:45 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Infrastructure Canada
I think so, based on current discussions with the provinces and territories. Moreover, in a number of cases, those governments already have an investment plan in place. They are in the process of determining whether they will be able to invest sooner rather than later.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
Yes, but it is still at the discussion stage between governments. Then you will have to issue calls for tender and go through a process that can take three to four months. In two days, we will be in June. Living in Canada, we know that most provinces don't do this kind of work in January.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
So it is unlikely that a large percentage of this amount will be invested in 2016.
4:45 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Infrastructure Canada
We will do our best. I know our partners in the provinces and territories will also do their best. That is why the program is spread out over two years for the provinces and three years for the territories.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
4:45 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Infrastructure Canada
I don't think so. Once again, based on our discussions, people are well aware that construction season is here. They really want to go forward as quickly as possible. So we'll see. I am still optimistic though.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
I like your “we'll see”.
Ms. Laroche, I have another question for you. How many people will you be hiring this year with the $10 million you have requested?
4:45 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Infrastructure Canada
How many people will we be hiring?
4:45 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Infrastructure Canada
Depending on staffing processes, we hope to hire 20 or so, yes, 20 people.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
You are saying that 20 people will be hired with the $10 million?
4:45 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Infrastructure Canada
No, not $10 million to hire 20 people. This amount is our operating budget, a large chunk of which goes to IT systems. This budget won't be used exclusively to hire the 20 people planned.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
I see.
I had noted that $10.2 million was allocated to recruitment. That's what you said at the outset.
4:45 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Infrastructure Canada
No, that's not just for staff. This amount will be used in various other ways.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
Could you provide the committee with a breakdown of expenditures for the $10 million?
4:45 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Infrastructure Canada
You would like a cost breakdown? Yes, for sure.
