Question Period Note: US Standards on Construction Material Used in Federal Infrastructure Projects

Will Canadian construction materials be eligible for US federal infrastructure project funding?

• As a country at low risk of deforestation, Canada has emphasized to the EU that while it supports its efforts in regard to deforestation‑free products, Canada has legitimate and serious concerns related to the design and operation of this new Regulation.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), signed by the President on November 15, 2021 includes new Buy America requirements that permanently apply to any infrastructure project undertaken with federal financial assistance. The forthcoming guidance on construction materials from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) represents a step forward in the implementation of the IIJA. The guidance on the scope of construction materials is one of the outstanding elements of the IIJA implementation, which the OMB was expected to issue last year. Canada is trying to influence the implementation of the expanded Buy America requirements to mitigate the negative impacts on Canadian suppliers and workers.

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