Question Period Note: GORDIE HOWE INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE PROJECT

Update on the Gordie Howe International Bridge project.

• The Gordie Howe International Bridge will grow the economy, create jobs and promote trade for decades to come, as well as provide significant social, economic, and environmental benefits for the Windsor-Detroit area through the Community Benefits Plan.

• The Bridge will provide modern facilities and direct highway to highway connection between Highway 401 in Ontario and Interstate 75 in Michigan, facilitating the flow of people and goods at the busiest Canada - U.S. border.

• Construction activities continue on both sides of the border, as Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority and Bridging North America have implemented comprehensive health and safety protocols to ensure worker safety.

• With one quarter of the overall Canada-U.S. trade passing through the Windsor-Detroit crossing annually, having a second bridge with efficient highway-to-highway connectivity, is essential to support trade between Canada and the U.S. and for our national security. Having both the Gordie Howe International Bridge and a fully functioning Ambassador Bridge will ensure capacity and reliability at Canada’s busiest crossing.

• The construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge remains a top infrastructure priority for the Government of Canada. Official construction started in October 2018 and the bridge is scheduled to be opened by December 2024.

• The Government of Canada is funding the entire project, with costs to be recouped from future toll revenues. Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority is responsible for selecting the P3 partner and is also responsible for project oversight including construction and operation of the new crossing. The Michigan Department of Transportation leads property acquisition in Michigan with oversight from Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority. The Michigan Department of Transport also participates in defining specifications for the project and monitoring construction as well as obtaining U.S approvals. The US Federal Government, through the Federal Highway Administration, enables the Michigan Department of Transportation to leverage up to $2.2B USD in matching federal funding, as a result of the funding provided by Canada.

• The Gordie Howe International Bridge project will benefit the communities on both sides of the border in a variety of ways including providing additional crossing capacity, direct highway-to-highway connectivity, and technologically advanced ports of entry. The bridge will be publicly owned by both Canada and Michigan, and delivered by Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority through a public-private partnership.

• On July 5, 2018 Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority announced the selection of Bridging North America as the private partner to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Gordie Howe International Bridge project. Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority signed a fixed-priced contract with Bridging North America valued at $5.7 billion (nominal value) to design, construct, finance and then operate and maintain the project for 30 years.

• On June 14, 2019, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority and Bridging North America unveiled a comprehensive Community Benefits Plan for the project which will be delivered by Bridging North America over the course of the construction phase. The Community Benefits Plan has a workforce development component with employment, training, and educational opportunities, as well as a neighbourhood infrastructure component that will make aesthetic and functional improvements to local communities.

• On June 10, 2020, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority announced the first annual distribution under the Community Organization Investment (COI) initiative, a component of the Community Benefits Plan for the project, to six non-profit organizations based in Windsor and three based in Detroit. The COI is a five-year annual investment allowance of $100,000 (CAD) to registered non-profits or charitable organizations, through an application process, with $50,000 allocated for investments in Windsor and Detroit respectively. The first release of funding was provided in July 2020.

• Construction activities are continuing on both sides of the border in accordance with the directives issued by the Province of Ontario and the State of Michigan. Bridging North America has implemented comprehensive COVID-19 safety protocols and procedures that include the guidance provided by Public Health Professionals.

This note is identical to the note with the same title published after December 2020