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Improving the quality of life in cities and
communities is one of the main priorities of the Government of Canada.
We are working to ensure that Canada will be a world leader in developing
vibrant, creative, inclusive, prosperous and sustainable communities –
large and small, urban and rural.
Infrastructure Canada, led by Minister of State John Godfrey (Infrastructure
and Communities), coordinates federal efforts to build a “New Deal
for Cities and Communities.” The department also makes strategic
investments in sustainable infrastructure projects through partnerships
that meet local community needs.
Canada’s quality of life depends on the vitality of its cities
and communities. With the implementation of the New Deal for Cities and
Communities, the Government of Canada has
taken constructive steps to engage and consult with stakeholders; to continue
to promote new partnerships between federal, provincial, territorial and
municipal governments; and to start to deliver stable, predictable, long-term
funding for cities and communities in urban and rural areas.
Within the Government of Canada, the department leads on national infrastructure
initiatives including research, policies and programs.
The combined efforts of provincial, territorial and municipal governments,
businesses and other organizations all contribute to Canada’s success.
Over the last decade, the Government of Canada has committed close to
$12 billion in new funds for infrastructure projects across the country.
These funds are expected to leverage $30 billion in total investments
by all partners. This will be complemented by $4 billion to $5 billion
in gas tax funding by 2009 to support sustainable infrastructure investments.
Virtually every municipal, provincial and territorial government in Canada
has infrastructure projects they would like to undertake. Infrastructure
Canada works with other levels of government, First Nations communities,
as well as the private sector, to identify regional and local development
priorities, and to evaluate proposals and finance specific projects, through
several funding programs.
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The funding supports public infrastructure in areas such as water and
wastewater treatment, urban transit, roads and highways, cultural, recreational
and urban facilities, broadband communications, and safe and efficient
Canadian border crossings into the United States.
The department also works closely with key partners – in the federal
government, other orders of government, universities, research institutes,
the private sector and other experts – to build knowledge about
sustainable communities and infrastructure issues; to connect researchers
in Canada; and to communicate knowledge about sustainable communities
and infrastructure in order to help decision-makers in communities, provinces
and territories across Canada, and internationally.
The Infrastructure and Communities portfolio includes four Crown corporations
that report to Parliament through Minister Godfrey: the Canada Lands Company Limited,
the Old Port of Montréal, Parc Downsview Park Inc., and Queens
Quay West Land Corporation.
While each of these Crown corporations is different, all contribute to
the federal commitment to cities and communities. They play a key role
in sustainable development through activities such as developing affordable
housing projects, providing green space in urban areas, and supporting
recreational and cultural activities.
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