Audits and Evaluations

Summary of InfraGuide summative evaluation

The InfraGuide project, funded under the Infrastructure Canada Program, identifies and disseminates best practices and encourages innovation to support sustainable municipal infrastructure decisions and actions. In October 2000, Infrastructure Canada (INFC) agreed to contribute $12.5 million, in two phases, to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) for the development of a National Guide for Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure (InfraGuide), also in partnership with the National Research Council (NRC).

As per the phase II contribution agreement, a summative evaluation of the InfraGuide Phases I and II was performed. The purpose of the summative evaluation was to help INFC in deciding whether to continue its funding of the InfraGuide project as well as suggest improvements, if necessary. The main focus of the mid-term evaluation was to assess InfraGuide’s project implementation, verify if all deliverables were met, and the extent to which the objectives of the agreement have been attained. The broad evaluation addressed issues of rationale, design/delivery, success in achieving intended outcomes, and cost-effectiveness, as per the phase II contribution agreement.

Overall, the summative evaluation confirmed that InfraGuide met most of the objectives and deliverables, and some progress has been made since the mid-term evaluation.  The key recommendations identified within the summative evaluation are for Infraguide to:

• develop a sustainable financial model based on collaboration with stakeholders;
• slow down the production of Best Practices (BPs) and focus on raising awareness, particularly in smaller municipalities; and increasing uptake, particularly for education and training of practioners; and
• maximize leverage/reach through greater collaboration.

Management Response

The InfraGuide Directorate accepted the recommendations and INFC approved funding for one additional year for the National Guide to Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure (InfraGuide) project. Specifically, the proposed activities outlined during the transition year will build on the core activities of BPs, knowledge dissemination and network development while securing long-term strategic positioning and financial sustainability. 

INFC will contribute up to $4 million towards the project and  the FCM are to coordinate the in-kind contribution of $350,000 from the work of volunteers on the project.

Contact:

ADM, Corporate Services
Infrastructure Canada
(819) 948-9161