Construction-related federal budget highlights

Here is a brief summary of some of the construction-sector related items in the 2016 federal budget. This is compilation from a number of different industry and online sources:

• $60 billion plus in new federal infrastructure investments in two phases, while accelerating portions of the existing Building Canada Fund.
• commits unused portions of the previous Building Canada Fund to the Gas Tax Fund over the next two years.
• $3.4 billion in investments for federal infrastructure assets
• $2 billion over three years starting this fiscal year for a new post-secondary institution investment fund.
• $3.4 billion over 3 years to upgrade and improve public transit systems across Canada;
• $5 billion over 5 years for investments in water, wastewater and green infrastructure projects across Canada; and
• $3.4 billion over 5 years for social infrastructure spending on social housing, early learning and child care, cultural and recreational infrastructure, and community care facilities.
• $125 million in 2016-17 for Labour Market Development Agreements (LMDA) and an additional $50 million in 2016-17 for Canada Job Fund Agreements.
• $2.24 billion over five years to improve on reserve water and wastewater infrastructure and waste management.
• $255 million over two years to the First Nations Infrastructure Fund to support investments such as roads, bridges, energy systems and physical infrastructure to mitigate the effects of natural disasters.
• expanding access to EI for new entrants, reducing wait times for receiving EI, simplifying job search requirements, and extending EI regular benefits in certain areas.
• proposed$85.4 million over five years that is designated to support union-based apprenticeship training.

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What industry leaders are saying about the budget

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