Close X
Sunday, September 22, 2024
ADVT 
National

Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi Says New Rules, Standards Will Speed Up Funding Flows

The Canadian Press, 13 Dec, 2015 02:17 PM
    OTTAWA — Canada's new infrastructure minister says projects that are shovel-ready and meet the Liberal government's national objectives will get some of the billions in new federal cash being made available.
     
    Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi says those big objectives are threefold: grow the economy, create jobs and make the country more sustainable.
     
    Sohi says shovel ready projects mean a municipality has done all the relevant studies, public consultation and planning — to qualify for financial help from the federal government.
     
    He accused the Harper Conservatives of announcing money for projects that weren't ready to begin so they could reap some political capital.
     
    "We want to create a process where I don't go out and make announcements without even consulting with my departmental staff or getting their input or not even having an application in for that project," Sohi said in an interview with The Canadian Press.
     
    "We will develop some processes that bring in more accountability and also more transparency."
     
    That will include better explanations to cities about why a project proposal was rejected, and set new service standards like speeding up application processing times. 
     
    "If we make a commitment to a project, and if a project has been sitting on our staff's table for six months, that's unacceptable," Sohi said.
     
    The Liberals have promised to increase infrastructure spending by an average of $6 billion a year over the next 10 years, raising the federal investment to $125 billion during that time.
     
    The extra money is supposed to be spread equally to public transit projects, green infrastructure, such as wastewater facilities, and social infrastructure like affordable housing.
     
    Sohi said the government plans to refocus the government's marquee infrastructure program, the New Building Canada Fund, to focus on more cross-country projects like highways, ports, and border crossings to help speed up the flow of commercial goods and trade.
     
    Sohi didn't say whether the new money the Liberals are promising would top up a suite of existing funding programs at Infrastructure Canada, or add a new program on top of what is already there to pay for upgrades to water and wastewater systems, social housing, seniors' facilities, and infrastructure in aboriginal communities.
     
     
    "You can't fit all of those in one policy," Sohi said.
     
    "You have to design your program in a way that it acknowledges the uniqueness and then we have to adapt different approaches to meet those unique needs."
     
    The Liberals made running deficits of up to $10 billion a year to pay for the infrastructure program a key election promise. They hope the money will jolt the economy and raise federal revenues, helping to pay for their spending promises and balance the budget in four years.
     
    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau turned to Sohi, a former Edmonton city councillor, to oversee the program.
     
    Sohi defeated former Conservative cabinet minister Tim Uppal in the Alberta riding of Edmonton-Mill Woods by 92 votes in the Oct. 19 election.
     
    Sohi takes a broad definition of infrastructure: It is anything, he said, "that allows you to be part of your community." That includes public transit to get to a job or school; a shelter for a woman escaping domestic violence; affordable housing for someone living on the street.
     
    "You can't talk about infrastructure without talking about the community aspect of it. It is a means of building strong, sustainable, livable communities that we all want to be part of," he said.
     
    The reason for that definition lies in his personal background: After Sohi immigrated to Canada from India in 1981 at age 17, he took the bus in Edmonton to the library and then later classes to learn English. He later worked for the city's disabled transportation system and drove a bus for a time.
     
    "Infrastructure is a way to opportunities," he said.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Missing Alberta Snowmobiler Travis Brown Found Dead On Mountain Near Revelstoke, B.C.

    RCMP Staff Sgt. Kurt Grabinsky says Travis Brown's body was found in the rugged Boulder Mountain area Thursday afternoon by some snowmobilers.

    Missing Alberta Snowmobiler Travis Brown Found Dead On Mountain Near Revelstoke, B.C.

    Nova Scotia Hockey Mom Fights Daughter's Ban From All-Boys Dressing Room

    Nova Scotia Hockey Mom Fights Daughter's Ban From All-Boys Dressing Room
    Laura England, whose daughter Hailey is a goalie for the South Shore PeeWee A Ice Sharks, has launched a public media campaign against the enforcement of a policy that has her daughter dressing by herself in a separate room before games.

    Nova Scotia Hockey Mom Fights Daughter's Ban From All-Boys Dressing Room

    Government Increases Minimum Down Payment For Homes Over $500,000, 5 Things To Know About New Rules

    Government Increases Minimum Down Payment For Homes Over $500,000, 5 Things To Know About New Rules
    Canadians looking to buy homes valued over $500,000 will soon be required to come up with larger down payments in a move the federal finance minister says is designed to ensure stability in Canada's biggest real estate markets.

    Government Increases Minimum Down Payment For Homes Over $500,000, 5 Things To Know About New Rules

    Toronto Police Arrest 18 People Allegedly Involved In International Car Theft Ring

    Toronto Police Arrest 18 People Allegedly Involved In International Car Theft Ring
    The organization, which allegedly lifted $30 million worth of high-end vehicles from residential driveways throughout the year, is believed to be tied to the Nigeria-based Black Axe criminal organization

    Toronto Police Arrest 18 People Allegedly Involved In International Car Theft Ring

    All-Faiths Gather For Homeless Christmas High Tea In Victoria

    All-Faiths Gather For Homeless Christmas High Tea In Victoria
    VICTORIA — Donna has a short Christmas wish list. She wants a pair of socks for herself and two Superstore gift cards, one for each son.

    All-Faiths Gather For Homeless Christmas High Tea In Victoria

    Delta Air Lines Bans Hoverboards, Says There's A Risk Of Fire From Their Lithium-Ion Batteries

    Delta Air Lines Bans Hoverboards, Says There's A Risk Of Fire From Their Lithium-Ion Batteries
    Hoverboards are motorized, two-wheel, skateboard-sized scooters that users stand on. They have been a hot gift item at some retailers

    Delta Air Lines Bans Hoverboards, Says There's A Risk Of Fire From Their Lithium-Ion Batteries