Liberals tie $33 billion in infrastructure cash to growth, environment

Provinces and territories that want a slice of new federal infrastructure money will have to prove it will accelerate economic growth, under the terms laid out by the Liberals for the government’s long-term funding program.

Projects will also have to show a benefit to the environment — reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving resiliency against natural disasters, for instance — according to the strings on $33 billion in planned federal spending over the next 11 years, the details of which were outlined Thursday in letters to the provinces and territories.

The letters also spell out an emphasis on thinking big, focusing on new projects — not renovations — and barring the provinces and territories from using federal dollars in place of their own.

Projects must meet national objectives and not just local interests.

“We want the new programs announced in Budget 2017 to focus on outcomes that will have a positive, real impact on Canadians for generations to come,” writes Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi.

The Liberals have banked on their infrastructure program as a key driver of economic growth, the hope being it can help increase government revenues and thereby do battle with the deep deficits the Finance Department is predicting for years to come.

Opposition parties say the Liberals haven’t properly defined what’s meant by “economic growth” and “environmental benefits.” The letters suggest those details will be worked out during negotiations.

“It sounds good as you’re writing the letter, but it’s a fluff comment,” said Conservative infrastructure critic Dianne Watts.

The government needs to define sustainable, economic growth, and put the necessary mechanisms in place so everyone is clear on expectations and how to measure them, Watts said.

NDP infrastructure critic Matthew Dube said the spending conditions could prevent cities from funding upgrades to existing infrastructure that remain a top priority for communities.

The letters set the parameters for negotiations between federal, provincial and territorial governments about funding agreements that need to be in place before the new infrastructure money can flow to projects. Sohi wants to have agreements in place no later than March 2018.

The $33 billion is part of $81.2 billion in the Liberals long-term infrastructure program that Sohi oversees, with the rest to be doled out under two other ministers and the federal infrastructure bank.