Infrastructure Programs

Under Building Canada, the Government of Canada's historic $33 billion infrastructure plan, the nation's most important economic and environmental priorities are being addressed through the following targeted and based-funding programs:

Targeted Funding Programs

• Building Canada Fund
• Public-Private Partnership Fund
• Gateways and Border Crossing Fund (managed by Transport Canada)

Base Funding Programs

• Gas Tax Fund (GTF)
• GST Rebate (managed by Canada Revenue Agency)
• Provincial-Territorial Funding

Infrastructure Canada also has broad management responsibilities for the following sunsetting programs:

• Public Transit Fund (PTF)
• Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF)
• Border Infrastructure Fund (BIF)
• Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF)
• Infrastructure Canada Program (ICP)

Public Transit Fund (PTF)
$400 million

Modeled after the Gas Tax Fund, the Public Transit Fund is a transfer payment program designed to provide funding to improve public transit services to Canadians. 

Benefits to Canadians

• Offers potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and smog in urban areas by improving services and offering Canadians greater flexibility in their transportations options.
• Investments make public transit more attractive and can induce a shift from auto travel to more fuel-efficient and cost-effective transit.
• Increased use of public transit can lead to a reduction of congestion levels, further improving energy use and air quality. 
• Public transit also promotes economic activity and competitiveness of urban areas.

Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF)
$4 billion

Directed to projects of major federal and regional significance in areas that are vital to sustaining economic growth and enhancing the quality of life of Canadians.

Benefits to Canadians

• Safer and faster movement of people and goods on Canada's major land transportation routes.
• Reduced production of greenhouse gases and airborne pollutants.
• Increase the effectiveness of urban development.
• Promote economic activity, including tourism.
• Use of innovative technologies and practices to minimize green house gas emissions.

Border Infrastructure Fund (BIF)
$600 million

Targets some of the busiest Canada-United States border crossing points.

Was created in the recognition that Canada’s border crossings and their highway approaches are vital for economic growth and prosperity.

Benefits to Canadians

• More efficient facilities capable of handling greater capacities at major border crossings, helping trucks travel across the busiest Canada-US border points more quickly.
• Improved Canada-US relations and better movement of goods, thereby contributing to increased trade and production.
• Improved border crossings, contributing to federal security and increased safety for Canadians.

Municipal Rural Infrastructure Program (MRIF)
$1.2 billion

Helps support smaller scale municipal infrastructure such as water and wastewater treatment, or cultural and recreation projects, for smaller and First Nations communities.  In May 2007, Minister Cannon announced an additional $200 million to top up the initial $1 million program.

Benefits to Canadians

• Improved and increased stock of core public infrastructure in areas such as water, wastewater, cultural and recreation.
• Improved quality of life and economic opportunities for smaller communities and First Nations.

Infrastructure Canada Program (ICP)
$2.05 billion

Created in 2000 to enhance infrastructure in Canada’s urban and rural communities and to improve quality of life through investments that protect the environment and support long-term community and economic growth. Virtually all ICP funding has been committed and over 3,500 ICP-funded projects have been announced.

Benefits to Canadians

• Enhancement of the quality of the environment.
• Support for long-term economic growth.
• Improvement of community infrastructure.
• Increased innovation, and use of new approaches and best practices.
• More efficient use of existing Infrastructure.