Question Period Note: SUPPORT FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

How are infrastructure investments supporting active transportation projects?

• Since 2015, Infrastructure Canada has approved 124 Active Transportation projects, worth over $285 million. These investments in active transportation projects will encourage outdoor activities such as walking and biking, while ensuring people stay safe.

• The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) is expanding to help communities respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and support economic recovery by supporting projects such as active transportation.

• The Government is also developing a National Active Transportation Strategy to further support and promote bicycle and pedestrian-friendly communities across the country.

• The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) is the centrepiece of Infrastructure Canada’s (INFC) funding initiatives supporting the broader Investing in Canada Plan. Managed through Integrated Bilateral Agreements with provinces and territories, this 10-year allocation-based program promotes strong collaboration between all levels of government by advancing outcomes in a manner that is flexible and responsive to unique local, provincial and territorial circumstances.

• Under the program, INFC has signed Integrated Bilateral Agreements with all provincial and territorial governments to deliver $33.5 billion of stable, predictable funding under four streams:

  ◦ Public Transit stream will provide up to $20.1 billion primarily to build new urban transit networks and service extensions that will transform the way that Canadians live, move and work.

  ◦ Green infrastructure stream will provide $9.2 billion to support greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reductions; enable greater adaptation and resilience to the impacts of climate change and climate-related disaster mitigation, and ensure that more communities can provide clean air and safe drinking water for their citizens.

  ◦ Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure stream will provide $1.3 billion towards community, culture and recreation infrastructure to build stronger communities and improve social inclusion.

  ◦ Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure stream will provide $2.4 billion to support projects that improve the quality of life in rural and northern communities by responding to rural and northern specific needs. The stream includes the $400 million Arctic Energy Fund that will address energy security in the territories.

• Given the significant health and socio-economic challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Infrastructure Canada (INFC) is implementing various expanded program parameters under ICIP, including the introduction of a new, time limited COVID-19 Resilience stream.

• Eligibility for active transportation and pathway projects has been expanded under the Public Transit stream and the Green Infrastructure stream, Environmental Quality sub-stream and under the new COVID-19 Resilience stream.

• In the context of the current pandemic increased flexibility for active transportation and pathways projects will allow for additional investments in projects that support physical distancing and outdoor activities. Encouraging walking, biking and similar outdoor transportation will provide safer ways to move around in our communities and provide areas for people to safely obtain the physical and mental health benefits of exercising outdoors during this time.

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