Audits and Evaluations

Summary of Infrastructure Canada Program mid-term evaluation

The Infrastructure Canada Program (ICP), announced in 2000, provided $2.05B over six years to improve urban and rural municipal infrastructure in Canada. In 2005, the program was extended to March 31, 2009. The ICP objective is to improve urban and rural municipal infrastructure in Canada through cost-shared federal-provincial/territorial projects. The objective was to be met through new and enhanced infrastructure in two priority areas - green municipal infrastructure and other local infrastructure.

The program is "application based" and focuses mostly on green municipal infrastructure as a first priority. Investments in green municipal infrastructure include: water and waste water systems, water management, solid waste management and recycling, and more efficient and/or renewable energy and energy services. The second priority is other local infrastructure including: affordable housing, cultural and recreational facilities, tourism infrastructure, rural and remote telecommunications and local transportation infrastructure. Each province and territory plays a key role in establishing the priorities for the ICP in their jurisdiction.

This mid-term evaluation is to address the requirements established by Treasury Board and the following management information needs:

information for decision-making regarding a possible ICP time extension;
information to position the program for its summative evaluation; and
lessons learned that could be used in the renewal of the existing program, or design and delivery of new infrastructure programs.

The mid-term evaluation noted that some improvements could be made in the design, implementation, and monitoring of the program. The key recommendations identified by the mid-term evaluation are:

to address barriers to project and program implementation and be diligent in order to ensure program completion by the extended deadline;
to determine a method to measure/report on project outcomes at the national level, communications outcomes, and program cots-effectiveness; and
to improve/maximize relationship management.

The total investments in community infrastructure, generated by ICP, exceed the original goal by 30%. ICP has also achieved an appropriate balance of federal/provincial priorities.

Management Response

INFC accepted the recommendations and is working with Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) to implement the recommendations. Following this evaluation an integrated RMAF and RBAF was prepared in consultation with the RDAs and approved by TBS. A summative evaluation is planned for the year 2009-2010.

Contact:

ADM Corporate Services
Infrastructure Canada
(819) 948-9161