Summary#

This bill changes the Canada Infrastructure Bank Act to refocus the Bank on the public interest, with an emphasis on climate mitigation, climate adaptation, and sustainable infrastructure (amending CIB Act s.6). It requires the Bank to give priority to certain investors and projects, adds Indigenous-recommended members to the Board, creates an annual report to Parliament on priority projects, and updates confidentiality rules.

• Refocuses purpose to public-interest investments that support climate action and sustainability (amending CIB Act s.6).
• Requires priority for public-sector, Northern, and Indigenous community investments; climate-focused projects; and projects not harmful to the environment (adding CIB Act s.7(1.1)).
• Allows unsolicited project proposals and names the Bank a “centre of expertise” (amending CIB Act s.7(1)(b)-(e)).
• Adds at least one Board member recommended by each of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis organizations (adding CIB Act s.8(1.1)).
• Requires an annual “priority projects” report to Parliament (new section after CIB Act s.27).
• Keeps proponent information confidential, extending coverage to subsidiaries (replacing CIB Act s.28(1)).

What it means for you#

• Households and service users

  • Project choices will prioritize climate mitigation or adaptation and environmental safety once the law takes effect (adding CIB Act s.7(1.1)(b)-(c)).
  • Parliament will receive an annual report on which priority investments and projects were chosen, offering more visibility into the Bank’s focus (new section after CIB Act s.27).

• Indigenous communities and Northern communities

  • Investments from Northern and Indigenous communities receive priority consideration (adding CIB Act s.7(1.1)(a)).
  • The Board must include at least one member recommended by a First Nations organization, one by an Inuit organization, and one by a Métis organization (adding CIB Act s.8(1.1)).

• Local governments, provinces, territories, and public institutions

  • Investments from public institutions and all levels of government receive priority (adding CIB Act s.7(1.1)(a)).
  • You can submit unsolicited proposals for infrastructure projects to the Bank (amending CIB Act s.7(1)(c)).

• Businesses and project sponsors

  • You may submit unsolicited proposals; the Bank is designated a centre of expertise, which may affect how guidance and technical support are provided (amending CIB Act s.7(1)(c), s.7(1)(e)).
  • Information related to project proponents remains privileged and cannot be disclosed by Bank personnel or affiliates, subject to existing exceptions (replacing CIB Act s.28(1)).

Expenses#

Estimated net cost: Data unavailable.

• No fiscal note or official cost estimate identified. Data unavailable.
• The bill text contains no explicit appropriations, fees, or tax changes (bill text).
• New annual reporting and Board composition requirements may carry administrative costs. Data unavailable.

Proponents' View#

• Aligns the Bank with climate goals by requiring priority for projects with mitigation or adaptation measures, pushing investments toward lower-risk, resilient infrastructure (adding CIB Act s.7(1.1)(b)).
• Ensures projects are not harmful to the environment by making environmental safety a priority criterion (adding CIB Act s.7(1.1)(c)).
• Elevates public and community-led investments, including from Northern and Indigenous communities, by making them priority investments (adding CIB Act s.7(1.1)(a)).
• Improves representation and governance by mandating Indigenous-recommended Board members for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples (adding CIB Act s.8(1.1)).
• Increases accountability through an annual report on prioritized investments and projects, tabled in both Houses of Parliament (new section after CIB Act s.27).
• Broadens the project pipeline by allowing unsolicited proposals and consolidates know-how by naming the Bank a centre of expertise (amending CIB Act s.7(1)(c), s.7(1)(e)).

Opponents' View#

• Priority rules could limit flexibility, reduce focus on revenue-generating projects, or discourage some private capital if it does not align with the new criteria (adding CIB Act s.7(1.1)).
• The phrase “not harmful to the environment” is undefined in the bill text, which could create uncertainty, disputes, or delays in project selection (adding CIB Act s.7(1.1)(c)).
• Mandated Board seats recommended by external organizations may complicate appointments if processes or recognized organizations are not defined in law (adding CIB Act s.8(1.1)).
• Annual reporting adds compliance steps without guaranteeing more public detail, since proponent information remains privileged (new section after CIB Act s.27; replacing CIB Act s.28(1)).
• Allowing unsolicited proposals could increase administrative workload and open more channels for lobbying, affecting processing times and consistency (amending CIB Act s.7(1)(c)).