INSIGHTS
Ontario Budget 2021 Analysis
Today, Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy tabled his first, and the Ford government’s third, annual Budget. The Minister, who has been pulling double duty at Finance and Treasury Board since assuming the Finance role from his predecessor, has been in the Finance role for only about three months.
Supreme Court of Canada Rules that Federal Carbon Pricing Law is Constitutional
This morning, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the federal carbon pricing law is constitutional, in a 6-3 landmark decision. The ruling stated that because climate change causes harm beyond provincial boundaries, it is a matter of national concern under the “peace, order and good government” clause in section 91 of the Constitution.
Canada Infrastructure Bank Announces $1bn Indigenous Community Infrastructure Initiative
Today, Ehren Cory, CEO of the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB), announced the launch of a $1 billion Indigenous Community Infrastructure Initiative (ICII). This is intended to enable Indigenous communities to have meaningful equity in projects that will have tangible infrastructure benefits to those communities. This might include helping to reduce or eliminate reliance on diesel generation, water and wastewater infrastructure, broadband, all seasons roads, airports, etc.
Proposed Offset Credit System Regulation Posted for Comment by Federal Government
On March 5th, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) published its proposed Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System Regulations (Canada) in the Canada Gazette, Part I. Submissions regarding the proposed regulations will be accepted by ECCC until May 5, 2021. Publication of the final regulations is targeted for fall 2021.
Minister McKenna Announces $2.75 Billion Fund to Electrify Transit Systems
Today, Minister of Infrastructure & Communities Catherine McKenna announced a $2.75 billion fund for electric bus infrastructure over the next five years. Funding will be provided through Infrastructure Canada to support the purchase of zero-emission public transit and school buses and can be accessed as early as 2021.
Government of Ontario Introduces Enabling Legislation for Rural Broadband Expansion
Today, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure, Hon. Laurie Scott introduced enabling legislation, Bill #257 – “Building Broadband Faster Act, 2021,” aimed at better supporting the timely expansion of needed broadband infrastructure within unserved and underserved rural Ontario communities.
Federal Government Launches Review of Output-Based Pricing System
As part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to review the current federal Output-Based Pricing System (OBPS) Regulations in 2022, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has released a paper titled Review of the Federal Output-Based Pricing System Regulations.
2021 City of Toronto Budget Update: Hold the Line
As everyone continues to grapple with the ongoing pandemic, municipalities across Canada are faced with an additional challenge during this year’s budget deliberations of ensuring adequate funding is available for continued COVID-related support in addition to regular programs, services, and capital projects.
Federal Government Announces $14.9 billion For Public Transit Funding
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Catherine McKenna and Canadian Infrastructure Bank Chair Tamara Vrooman announced a new, $3 billion per-year permanent transit fund, beginning in 2026-27. In total, the announcement commits $14.9 billion in new funding for public transit projects, over the next eight years.