2014-2015
Report on Plans and Priorities
Section 2

2.1.1 Program: Funding for Provincial-Territorial Priorities

Program Description for Funding for Provincial-Territorial Priorities:

This program provides predictable funding to each province and territory to enhance Canada's public infrastructure system. Federal payments to provinces and territories are made in accordance with the terms and conditions of signed funding agreements, including federal acceptance of Capital Plans and Expenditure Reports. Funding through this program leverages additional contributions from other funding partners to increase overall investment in public infrastructure for Canadians. Payments may be made up-front and cost-sharing provisions apply to a Capital Plan as a whole, and not the individual initiatives within a Capital Plan. This program uses funding from the following transfer payment: the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Base Fund.

[*] Cumulative targets over the life of the program.

Planning Highlights for Funding for Provincial-Territorial Priorities

In order to provide provinces and territories with federal financial support for their infrastructure priorities, key planning highlights under this program include:

• Reviewing and, when ready, accepting provincial/territorial Expenditure Reports, including any planned final Expenditure Reports required in order to release final federal payments to jurisdictions under the program;
• Continuing to undertake program close-out in provinces and territories that meet all applicable program end requirements; and
• Ensuring the sound administration of the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Base Fund by maintaining ongoing focus on program stewardship and prudent management.

As provinces and territories move toward the completion of all initiatives under the program, the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Base Fund continues to provide predictable funding to help them address their core infrastructure priorities.

2.1.2 Permanent and Flexible Public Infrastructure Funding

Program Description for Permanent and Flexible Public Infrastructure Funding:

In support of public infrastructure for Canadians, this program provides predictable and flexible funding for municipalities, allowing them to plan for the longer term in order to address infrastructure priorities. Funding is provided in order to build and rehabilitate public infrastructure based on overall compliance with the terms and conditions of the governing administrative agreements. Federal funding is provided twice annually and does not need to be utilized in the year it was provided. This program uses funding from this transfer payment: the Gas Tax Fund, a component of the Government of Canada's Community Improvement Fund.

Planning Highlights for Permanent and Flexible Public Infrastructure Funding

In order to provide municipalities with federal financial support for their infrastructure priorities, key planning highlights under this program include:

• Collaborating with provincial, territorial and municipal partners to ensure that municipalities have ongoing access to funds for infrastructure and that recipients have access to funding to build and improve municipal infrastructure; and
• Signing and implementing federal-provincial/territorial agreements for the permanent Gas Tax Fund, to then allow Infrastructure Canada to deliver the first payment of the permanent Gas Tax Fund by July 15, 2014.

In 2014-2015, projects funded under the Gas Tax Fund will continue to contribute to cleaner water and air as well as reduced greenhouse gas emissions in Canada's cities and communities. However, with the new permanent funding, the Gas Tax Fund will also contribute to increased productivity and economic growth, and strong cities and communities. This will be achieved through the expansion of eligible investment categories.

2.1.3 Program: Investments in National Infrastructure Priorities

Program Description for Program: Investments in National Infrastructure Priorities:

This program directs funding to infrastructure projects that help to advance national priorities that are important to all Canadians. Funding through this program typically leverages additional contributions from other funding partners for eligible infrastructure projects. Funding is merit-based and is provided on a competitive basis for most of these Transfer Payment programs. Payments are provided based on eligible costs incurred with respect to signed contribution agreements. This program uses funding from the following transfer payments: the New Building Canada Fund—National Infrastructure Component¹⁸, Green Infrastructure Fund, Border Infrastructure Fund and the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway Fund.

[**] Cumulative targets over the life of the program. Rolled-up targets for this Program are based on the following transfer payment programs only: the Green Infrastructure Fund and the Border Infrastructure Fund. The planned completion date for the only project under the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway Fund project is March 31, 2018.

Planning Highlights for Permanent and Flexible Public Infrastructure Funding

The planning highlights for this program fall under the following four transfer payment programs.

The New Building Canada Fund—National Infrastructure Component:

In order to provide funding for projects of national significance, particularly those that support job creation, economic growth and productivity, key planning highlights for 2014-2015 under the New Building Canada Fund–National Infrastructure Component include:

• Continuing to consult with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and other stakeholders to finalize the parameters of the New Building Canada Fund—National Infrastructure Component and launching the new Fund by March 31, 2014.

The Green Infrastructure Fund:

In order to provide funding for quality, cost-effective public infrastructure that meets the needs of Canadians, key planning highlights under the Green Infrastructure Fund include:

• Continuing to sign project-specific agreements for green infrastructure projects announced as funding priorities under the Green Infrastructure Fund; and
• Continuing to oversee the implementation of project-specific agreements, ensuring that the terms of agreements are respected and that claims for payment are processed efficiently.

Projects funded under the Green Infrastructure Fund will contribute to cleaner air, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and cleaner water, and will support a more sustainable economy over the long term.

The Border Infrastructure Fund:

In order to provide funding for quality, cost-effective public infrastructure that meets the needs of Canadians, key planning highlights under the Border Infrastructure Fund include:

• Monitoring the implementation of project-specific agreements in partnership with Transport Canada;
• Overseeing project completion and close-out adhering to consistent monitoring and review procedures; and
• Collating and analyzing project information for reporting purposes.

The Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway Fund:

The construction of the first all-season road between Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk will create a connection from southern Canada to the Arctic Coast of the Beaufort Sea. Key planning highlights under this fund include:

• Ongoing contribution to the Government of Canada priorities to increase jobs, improving northern development opportunities, and increased arctic presence; and
• Maintaining oversight to ensure the sound administration of the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway Fund with an ongoing focus on program stewardship and prudent management.

2.1.4 Program: Large-Scale Infrastructure Investments

Program Description for Program: Large-Scale Infrastructure Investments:

This program invests in infrastructure projects of national, regional and/or local significance. Funding through this program leverages additional contributions from other funding partners for eligible infrastructure projects. Funding may be jurisdictionally allocated. Actual payments are provided based on eligible costs incurred with respect to signed contribution agreements. This program uses funding from the following transfer payments: the New Building Canada Fund-Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component²⁰, Building Canada Fund-Major Infrastructure Component and the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund.

[***] Cumulative targets over the life of the program. Rolled-up targets for this Program are based on the following transfer payment programs only: the Building Canada Fund-Major Infrastructure Component and the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund.

Planning Highlights for Program: Large-Scale Infrastructure Investments

The planning highlights for this program fall under the following three transfer payment programs.

The New Building Canada Fund—Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component (National and Regional Projects sub-component):

In order to provide funding for projects of national and regional significance, key planning highlights for 2014-2015 under the New Building Canada Fund—Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component—National and Regional Projects (PTIC-NRP) include:

• Continuing to consult with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and other stakeholders to finalize the parameters of the New Building Canada Fund—Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component—National and Regional Projects (PTIC-NRP) and launching the new Fund by March 31, 2014.

The Building Canada Fund—Major Infrastructure Component:

In order to provide funding for quality, cost-effective public infrastructure that meets the needs of Canadians, key planning highlights under the Building Canada Fund—Major Infrastructure Component include:

• Continuing to work with provincial governments to identify major infrastructure projects for funding in order to commit the remaining provincial allocations. By the end of fiscal period 2014-2015, virtually all program funding is expected to be committed (approximately $6.7 billion);
• Continuing to sign project-specific contribution agreements for major infrastructure projects announced as funding priorities under the 2007 Building Canada Fund; and
• Continuing to oversee the implementation of project-specific agreements, ensuring that the terms of agreements are respected, that claims for payment are processed efficiently and that close-out of projects is completed.

Projects funded under the Building Canada Fund—Major Infrastructure Component will contribute to a competitive economy, cleaner environment and liveable communities by targeting larger infrastructure projects of national or regional significance.

The Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund:

In order to provide funding for quality, cost-effective public infrastructure that meets the needs of Canadians, key planning highlights under the Canadian Strategic Infrastructure Fund include:

• Overseeing the implementation of project-specific agreements, in collaboration with partners as appropriate, ensuring that the terms of the agreements are respected and that claims are processed efficiently;
• Collaborating with partners to complete amendments to individual project funding agreements, to allow sufficient time for recipients to complete all projects;
• Overseeing project completion and close-out while adhering to consistent monitoring and review procedures; and
• Collating and analyzing project information for reporting purposes.

2.1.5 Program: Infrastructure Investments in Smaller Communities

Program Description for Program: Infrastructure Investments in Smaller Communities:

This program invests in infrastructure projects in smaller communities in support of local and/or regional needs. Funding through this program leverages additional contributions from other funding partners for eligible infrastructure projects. Funding may be jurisdictionally allocated. Payments are provided based on eligible costs incurred with respect to signed contribution agreements. This program uses funding from the following transfer payments²²: the Building Canada Fund—Communities Component and the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund.²³

[****] Cumulative targets over the life of the program. Targets for this Program are based on the following transfer payment program only: the Building Canada Fund—Communities Component.

Planning Highlights for Program: Infrastructure Investments in Smaller Communities

The planning highlights for this program fall under the two following transfer payment programs.

The Building Canada Fund—Communities Component:

Working with Federal Delivery Partners, through a Service Level Agreement, Infrastructure Canada continues to deliver this program with provincial partners in support of projects in communities with populations fewer than 100,000 persons. The largest categories of investments are wastewater infrastructure, water infrastructure and local road infrastructure.

As March 31, 2014 marked the deadline for approval of new projects under the Building Canada Fund — Communities Component, program delivery in 2014-2015 will focus primarily on completing requirements for project closure, monitoring ongoing projects and preparing for program close-out in 2017-2018.

The New Building Canada Fund—Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component (Small Communities Fund sub-component):

In order to provide funding for local projects in small communities of less than 100,000 people, key planning highlights for 2014-2015 under the New Building Canada Fund—Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component—Small Communities Fund (PTIC-SCF) include:

• Continuing to consult with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and other stakeholders to finalize the parameters of the New Building Canada Fund-Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – Small Communities Fund (PTIC-SCF) and launching the new Fund by March 31, 2014.

2.2 Program: Internal Services

Program Description for Internal Services:

Internal Services are groups of related activities and resources that are carried out to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations of an organization. These groups are: Management and Oversight Services, Communications Services, Legal Services, Human Resources Management Services, Financial Management Services, Information Management Services, Information Technology Services, Real Property Services, Material Services, Acquisition Services, and Travel and Other Administrative Services. Internal Services include only those activities and resources that apply across an organization and not those provided specifically to a program.

Planning Highlights for Internal Services

The planning highlights for Internal Services focus on eight key activities which help strengthen the services that support the Department in its mandate.

Governance and Management Support

Management and Oversight:

During the planning period, the Department will:

• Proactively monitor the audit environment and identify emerging risks based on the Department's major risks and activities;
• Implement the approved risk-based audit plan, and report findings to the Departmental Audit Committee;
• Provide an enhanced, evidence-based management action plan follow-up process for all outstanding audit recommendations; and
• Provide advisory services in support of management requests.

During the planning period, the Department will:

• Implement the approved evaluation plan, and report findings to the Departmental Evaluation Committee;
• Provide an enhanced evidence-based management action plan follow-up process for all outstanding evaluation recommendations; and
• Provide advice and guidance on the development of Performance Measurement Strategies and Frameworks.

During the planning period, the Department will:

• Monitor and report on the implementation and effectiveness of risk responses; and
• Review and update the Department's Corporate Risk Profile through its established risk management approach which includes an environmental scan, risk identification and assessment, risk responses and risk monitoring.

Communications:

During the planning period, the Department will:

• Communicate the results of our significant infrastructure investments to Canadians; Communicate, as required, decisions related to future infrastructure programming — particularly information about the New Building Canada Plan and the renewed Gas Tax Fund;
• Continue to ensure that key information is readily available to local and national media through announcements and other public affairs activities;
• Continue to update and improve the public website with information for Canadians and stakeholders;
• Undertake outreach with stakeholder organizations; and
• Provide corporate and internal communications that supports the Minister's office, organizational effectiveness and employee engagement.

Access to Information and Privacy Services:

During the planning period, the Department will:

• Ensure timely responses to Access to Information and Privacy Act (ATIP) inquiries through adequate resourcing and ongoing training for employees; and
• Implement the Privacy Management Framework.

Resource Management Services

Information Management/Information Technology:

During the planning period, the Department will make technology investments in direct support of its program activities. The investments address the risks associated with migrating the hosting of the Shared Information Management System for Infrastructure (SIMSI) from the private sector to a Shared Services Canada datacenter and provide technology enhancements to support new infrastructure programs. The associated expenditures are reflected as program activity costs.

In terms of internal services expenditures in IM/IT, the Department will:

• Continue to support whole-of-government initiatives related to information technology (IT) modernization in areas such as policy renewal and changes in the provision of services for e-mail, telephones, documents management, end user devices and software; and
• Ensure compliance with the Government of Canada's Directive on Recordkeeping by March 31, 2015.

Financial Management:

During the planning period, the Department will:

• Continue to strengthen the overall effectiveness of financial management and expenditure management systems by:
  • Working with the Treasury Board Secretariat and the Department of Finance Canada to confirm operating funding for 2014-2015 and future years;
  • Continuing to implement payment by direct deposit, in accordance with the Receiver General of Canada's initiative to phase out the printing of paper cheques;
  • Implementing the enhanced challenge function through conducting due diligence reviews of information included in Cabinet documents, and attesting to the quality of the information, as per the Guideline on Chief Financial Officer Attestation for Cabinet Submissions (which can be found on Treasury Board Secretariat's website; and
  • Working with the Office of the Comptroller General of Canada (OCG) to refine the Department's corporate costing model to promote stronger contextual and costing information that will inform new spending decisions.

Human Resource Management:

During the planning period, the Department will:

• Deliver on the Department's Integrated Business and Human Resources Plan;
• Develop and implement innovative ways to operate in light of an increasing scope and pace of change that brings incremental challenges and opportunities to its workforce while continuing to make progress in addressing the Clerk's priorities;
• Continue our efforts to renew the workforce, support and develop employees and ensure that the workplace supports the well-being, wellness and productivity of our employees;
• Implement the new Performance Management Directive; and
• Continue to foster a positive culture of values and ethics and one that promotes the use of both of Canada's official languages.

Footnotes

^[16] The number of full-time equivalents (FTE) for 2014-2015 is to be determined (TBD). The number of FTEs for future years is to be determined depending on the status of ongoing operational funding, and on the elements of future public infrastructure programming.

^[17] The number of full-time equivalents (FTE) for 2014-2015 is to be determined (TBD). The number of FTEs for future years is to be determined depending on the status of ongoing operational funding, and on the elements of future public infrastructure programming.

^[18] This program's Planned Spending for 2014-2015 and beyond does not include funding for the New Building Canada Fund-National Infrastructure Component transfer payment program.

^[19] The number of full-time equivalents (FTE) for 2014-2015 is to be determined (TBD). The number of FTEs for future years is to be determined depending on the status of ongoing operational funding, and on the elements of future public infrastructure programming.

^[20] This program's Planned Spending for 2014-2015 and beyond does not include funding for the New Building Canada Fund-Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component transfer payment program.

^[21] The number of full-time equivalents (FTE) for 2014-2015 is to be determined (TBD). The number of FTEs for future years is to be determined depending on the status of ongoing operational funding, and on the elements of future public infrastructure programming.

^[22] Through the annual Management, Resources and Results Structures (MRRS) amendment process, it is expected that the Small Communities Fund (SCF) sub-component of the New Building Canada Fund-Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component will be included in this Program's description.

^[23] As the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund is currently wrapping up, there is no new planned spending anticipated for Fiscal Year 2014-2015.

^[24] The number of full-time equivalents (FTE) for 2014-2015 is to be determined (TBD). The number of FTEs for future years is to be determined depending on the status of ongoing operational funding, and on the elements of future public infrastructure programming.

^[25] The 2014-2015 Main Estimates and 2014-2015 Planned Spending, 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 Planned Spending amounts do not reflect funding for Infrastructure Canada's operating budget. The amounts in this table are opening balances only, as operating budget amounts for 2014-2015 and beyond have not yet been confirmed.

^[26] The number of full-time equivalents (FTE) for 2014-2015 is to be determined (TBD). The number of FTEs for future years is to be determined depending on the status of ongoing operational funding, and on the elements of future public infrastructure programming.