Engineers Canada is pleased to see the federal government’s continued commitment to investing in infrastructure, building Canada’s net-zero economy, and fostering innovation as laid out in Budget 2022: A Plan to Grow Our Economy and Make Life More Affordable.
“The engineering profession stands ready to assist as Canada continues its economic recovery and as the government seeks to achieve the country’s net-zero future,” said Gerard McDonald, CEO of Engineers Canada. “Engineers Canada is pleased to see Budget 2022’s investments in key economic areas that directly impact the engineering profession.”
In its pre-budget submission, Engineers Canada recommended that the federal government kickstart the economy through the acceleration of projects promised in the Investing in Canada Plan program. We are pleased to see Budget 2022’s significant focus on growing a strong and resilient economy, and the government’s intention to accelerate the deadline for provinces to fully commit their remaining funding under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. These measures will help ensure that federal funding for infrastructure can continue to support transformative infrastructure projects across Canada.
Engineers Canada also called on the federal government to continue investing in green infrastructure as an economic recovery strategy, as well as to deliver on Canada’s climate commitments. We are encouraged by the budget’s proposal to broaden the role of the Canadian Infrastructure Bank (CIB) that invests in private-sector-led infrastructure projects that will accelerate Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy. The CIB will continue to invest in public transit, broadband, trade, and transportation, sectors in which engineers play an integral role.
Engineers across Canada also have a key role to play in fostering innovation, research, and development. Engineers Canada applauds Budget 2022’s continued support for Canada’s innovation clusters. It proposes to provide $750 million over six years to support the further growth and development of Canada’s Global Innovation Clusters. It also proposes to provide additional funding to contribute to a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive research community, including new Canada Excellence Research Chairs and Black researchers.
Engineers Canada submitted budget recommendations to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance in February 2022 and was listed as a contributor in the Finance Committee’s final report. This pre-budget submission called for the acceleration of infrastructure projects promised in the Investing in Canada Infrastructure program and support for green infrastructure and natural resource investments; continued support for equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives across Canada; and funding to support Indigenous people’s access to post-secondary engineering education programs. Read the full submission on Engineers Canada’s website.
