Latest News
Housing and Infrastructure Project Map
Infrastructure Canada has updated its extensive Housing and Infrastructure Project Map, which includes over 10,000 project entries across the country. However, not all federally funded projects can be mapped, for example, studies, asset management plans, and funding transfers.
Legislation
Ways and Means Bill Tabled
Following the federal Fall Economic Statement (FES), the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. Chrystia Freeland, tabled the FES implementation Bill C-59, An Act to implement certain provisions of the fall economic statement tabled in Parliament on November 21, 2023, and certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 28, 2023, on Monday, November 28, 2023. This bill includes:
- The government proposes to introduce the Canada Water Agency Act to establish the stand-alone Canada Water Agency, under the Minister of the Environment for the purpose of protection, conservation, and restoration of the quality of fresh water and the health of freshwater ecosystems in Canada and to take other collaborative measures, including the development of policy and the promotion of sound governance with respect to fresh water, as well as the improvement of the ease of access to and use of relevant data.
- The Bill also proposes to enact the Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Act, which establishes the Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, confers on the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities various responsibilities relating to public infrastructure and confers on the Minister of Housing various responsibilities relating to housing and the reduction and prevention of homelessness. As a consequence of creating this new Act, the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund Act will be repealed.
Upcoming House Debates
Next week, priority will be given to:
- Bill C-50, An Act respecting accountability, transparency, and engagement to support the creation of sustainable jobs for workers and economic growth in a net-zero economy.
- Bill C-56, An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act and the Competition Act.
- Bill C-59, An Act to implement certain provisions of the fall economic statement tabled in Parliament on November 21, 2023, and certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 28, 2023.
- Thursday, December 7, will be an Opposition Day.
Committee Updates
Freshwater Study Underway at House Environment Committee
The House of Commons Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development is continuing its study on freshwater management, with their seventh meeting on the subject on Thursday, November 23. Witnesses included Watersheds BC, the Forum for Leadership on Water, ALUS, and the Assiniboine River Basin Initiative.
Departmental Updates
Canada Infrastructure Bank Invests in Airport Redevelopment
The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) and Thompson Regional Airport Authority (TRAA) announced financial close on a $52 million investment towards the redevelopment of Thompson Regional Airport. This investment is being financed through the CIB’s Indigenous Community Infrastructure Initiative.
The redevelopment will include:
- the replacement of the air terminal building, which is sinking into the discontinuous permafrost;
- non-airside-related infrastructure, including extension of sewer lines from new terminal to expanded lagoon, parking lots, and service roads; and
- airside-related infrastructure, including new apron and taxiways, and expansion of existing apron and related infrastructure.
Federal Government Announces Housing and Transit Investments in Manitoba
Parliamentary Secretary Chris Bittle announced a federal investment of $348,161 to repair affordable apartments and emergency homeless units in Brandon and to purchase new accessible vehicles for public transit in the Town of Carberry and the Municipality of North Cypress–Langford.
The federal government is investing $96,954 in the housing repair project through the Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy and $251,207 in the two transit projects through the Rural Transit Solutions Fund.
Fraser River Bank Erosion Protection
Efforts to reduce the risk of further erosion on the Fraser River bank, and in particular that of the Matsqui Dike, are receiving much needed support, thanks to the combined investment of more than $19 million from the governments of Canada and British Columbia, along with the City of Abbotsford. Announced by MP John Aldag, Minister Nathan Cullen, and Mayor Ross Siemens, the project will increase the resilience of the dike—which is situated on the Sumas First Nation’s traditional fishing territory and also protects the Matsqui First Nation downstream.
