Liberals pledge increased infrastructure investment

Federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has pledged dramatic increases in federal infrastructure investment if his party is elected.

“A Liberal government will make the largest new infrastructure investment in Canadian history,” Trudeau said in a release after outlining the plan during a campaign stop at the Oakville, ON training centre of Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers.

The Liberal proposal includes:

• • • Nearly double federal infrastructure investment to almost $125 billion – from the current $65 billion – over the next decade, reaching an additional $9.5 billion by year ten;
    • Make an immediate down payment to kick-start job creation and economic growth by doubling the current federal infrastructure investment in each of the next two fiscal years;
    • Provide new, dedicated funding to provinces, territories, and municipalities for public transit infrastructure, social infrastructure – including affordable housing and seniors facilities, early learning and child care, and cultural and recreational infrastructure, and green infrastructure – including local and wastewater facilities, climate resilient infrastructure, and clean energy;
    • Increase the transparency of the New Building Canada Fund by providing clearer project criteria and faster approval processes that will now prioritize investments in roads, bridges, transportation, ports, and border gateways;
    • Help fund public infrastructure projects with the creation of a new Canada Infrastructure Bank.

“Every dollar we spend on public infrastructure grows our economy, creates jobs, and strengthens our cities and towns,” said Trudeau, after trying his hand at the controls of a crane.

“Government has a responsibility to act decisively and for the public good. Canada’s economic growth was made possible by building ambitiously. We must do so again if we are to transform our transit and transportation systems, create more liveable communities, and ensure that we adapt to a changing climate.”