Skip to Main Content
Bookmark and Share print small medium large 

HOME / INFRASTRUCTURE /


Infrastructure FAQ


Who is the Canada-PEI Infrastructure Secretariat?

In fall 2005 the Canada PEI Infrastructure Division under went a reorganization and expansion. Due to the increased number of infrastructure programs coming on stream, if was acknowledged that additional staff was necessary to properly administer these new programs.

In November 2005 an agreement was struck to create a Canada-PEI Infrastructure Secretariat. This joint Secretariat began operations at 75 Fitzroy St. with a total of six staff. The Province of PEI employs three staff members; two new provincial positions were created - a Provincial Manager of Infrastructure and an Administrative Assistant. These new Provincial staff joined the current Project Officer along with the three staff from the Federal government to make up the new joint Infrastructure Secretariat.

Pat MacAulay Federal Manager 368-0987 pat.MacAulay@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Darlene Rhodenizer Provincial Manager 368-6213 DLRhodenizer@gov.pe.ca
Kandace McEntee Federal Project Officer 566-7097 Kandace.McEntee@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
John Arsenault Provincial Project Officer 368-4882 JEArsenault@gov.pe.ca
Stacey Ward Federal Program Assistant 620-3380 Stacey.Ward@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Janine Arsenault Provincial Administrative Assistant 620-3381 janarsenault@gov.pe.ca


Back to Top

Who is the Minister responsible for Infrastructure?

The Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal is responsible for Infrastructure. 



Back to Top

What are the overall objectives of the program and how do our projects fit in?

Every funding agreement has its objective, but broadly speaking, project applications will be assessed according to how well they advance the following objectives of the program:

  • Enhancement of the environment, (e.g., water and wastewater management, solid waste management, more efficient energy use);
  • Support of long-term economic growth, (e.g., increasing economic opportunity in communities, increasing access to the new economy through improved telecommunications, increasing tourism opportunities);
  • Improvement of community infrastructure, (e.g., constructing or rehabilitating traditional transportation infrastructure, increasing community safety, supporting Canadian heritage and culture, increasing access to local recreational facilities, etc.);
  • Building 21st century infrastructure, (e.g., encouraging innovation, increasing partnerships, encouraging use of new approaches and best practices, more efficient use of existing infrastructure)


Back to Top

What is "green" infrastructure?

Green infrastructure improves the quality of our environment and contributes to our national goals of clean air and water. Examples of green municipal infrastructure include water and wastewater systems, water treatment, solid waste management and recycling, and capital expenditures to retrofit or improve the energy efficiency of buildings and facilities owned by local governments, among others.



Back to Top

How does a municipality apply for project funding under Infrastructure Canada-PEI?

A joint federal-provincial Program Secretariat is responsible for administering the programs, including how and when it will accept project applications from municipalities. Municipalities can contact the Secretariat for more information at 1-888-240-4411.

Information concerning applications and application forms can also be downloaded from each programs webpage.



Back to Top

Who decides which projects are approved?

Most infrastructure funding agreements require that all projects be reviewed by a Management Committee consisting of representatives from the federal, provincial and municipal governments represented by the Federation of PEI Municipalities.



Back to Top

Will there be any limit on completion dates for projects?

Yes. However completion dates vary between funding agreements.



Back to Top

What is the role of municipalities in the Infrastructure Canada-PEI program?

Municipal governments, according to their own priorities, submit projects to be funded through the program, and thus play a pivotal role in the implementation of the Infrastructure Canada-PEI program.

Representatives of FPEIM were involved in the development of some of the new programs. A representative of FPEIM is either a voting member or an observer of the Management Committee to ensure municipal input continues through the life of the program.

Infrastructure Canada-PEI is designed to work from the bottom up. No one knows the needs of a community better than the people who live and work in that community.



Back to Top

How will individual projects be funded?

In most cases, the federal and provincial governments will each provide up to one-third of the eligible cost of a municipal infrastructure project, and the municipality itself will provide the rest of the funds. Private sector participation is considered in lieu of or in conjunction with a municipal contribution.



Back to Top

Are there any provisions for First Nations in this program?

There are provisions for the First Nations. Infrastructure priorities for First Nations communities will be funded through a separate allocation of funds, to be administered by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. The Government of Canada has set aside about $31 million for First Nations infrastructure across Canada.



Back to Top

How do I find out the status of my application?

Notification letters will be sent out to all proponents whose projects have been approved for funding. An applicant can contact the Secretariat Office toll free at 1-888-240-4411 for an update at any time.



Back to Top

What if we have already started the project?

Costs for projects already underway are not eligible for funding under the guidelines of the program. There is also a risk that the entire project may also be deemed ineligible if the work completed is not consistent with any environmental mitigation measures that would have been imposed as a condition of funding.

If a project can logically be broken into phases, then funding could be requested for a phase of the project that has not yet begun.



Back to Top

Can we tender the project while we await approval?

Written approval is required prior to tendering any project not yet approved. Contact the office and they will advise on how to proceed.



Back to Top

Do I need an environmental assessment?

The Environmental Assessment Checklist provided in the application needs to be completed as all projects funded are subject to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

The only exception is NDCC application. NDCC projects are not subject to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act; however, they must meet Provincial standards.



Back to Top

When do we receive the funding?

Each agreement has its own process for receiving funds.

The MRIF program works on a reimbursement basis. Project proponents will incur and pay project costs, and then submit a claim to the Infrastructure Canada-PEI office. Claims can be submitted monthly as expenses are incurred and paid by applicants.

The Gas Tax program works on lump sum payments. Participants are then responsible for filling out appropriate auditing materials (i.e. annual expenditure reports).



Back to Top

Where can I find more information?

For more information you can contact the Infrastructure Secretariat:

Canada-PEI Infrastructure Secretariat
75 Fitzoy Street, Suite 301
PO Box 2000
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8
Toll Free: 1-888-240-4411
Fax: (902) 620-3383
e-mail: cpei-infrastructure@gov.pe.ca

back to top