BORDER INFRASTRUCTURE FUND
In Budget 2001, the Government of Canada announced its intention to provide
$600 million to support improved efficiency at Canada's borders. The Border
Infrastructure Fund is a comprehensive approach towards sustaining and
increasing the long-term safety and efficiency of the Canada-U.S. border. It
encompasses physical infrastructure, intelligent transportation systems, and
helps support analytical capacity which will provide decision makers with better
information on border issues as they pertain to congestion.
In the wake of the events of September 11, 2001, the Government of Canada
renewed its commitment to public and economic security by signing a declaration
for the creation of a Smart Border for the 21st century between the United
States and Canada. The Smart Border Action Plan is supported by four pillars: (i)
secure flow of people, (ii) secure flow of goods, (iii) secure infrastructure,
and (iv) coordination and information sharing in the enforcement of these
objectives.
The Border Infrastructure Fund is being implemented in co-operation with
provincial, territorial and municipal governments, academic and research
institutes, and with partners from the public and private sectors on both sides
of the border to form an integral component of the Smart Border Action Plan.
The two central objectives of the Border Infrastructure Fund are to support
the Smart Border Action Plan by reducing border congestion and to expand
existing infrastructure capacity over the medium term to support ongoing
economic growth.
In fulfilling these objectives, funding is largely targeted towards major
crossings, such as Windsor, Ontario; Sarnia, Ontario; Niagara Falls, Ontario;
Fort Erie, Ontario; and Douglas, British Columbia.
The Government of Canada makes a maximum contribution of 50 per cent towards
the total eligible costs of each project.
All projects are selected under the authority of the Minister of State
(Infrastructure and Communities) based on the following investment criteria:
- mitigation of congestion;
- enhancement of system capacity;
- coordination with adjacent U.S. border facility and road access network;
- support of implementation of the Smart Border Action Plan;
- enhancement of safety and security at border crossings; and
- financial participation of other public and private sector partners.
December 2004
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