Key Projects of Canada

Vancouver’s Canada Line

The Canada Line is one of the earliest public–private partnerships, pre-dating the 2009 establishment of PPP Canada. Approved in 2004 and opened in 2009, the Canada Line is a fully automated rapid transit line in the Metro Vancouver region of British Columbia, which services a 16-station route between the city’s international airport and Richmond. The Canada Line was built to reduce traffic in the city, offering a quicker and more eco-friendly mode of travel. The project represented a key part of TransLink’s Transportation Plan for 2000–05. The pending Winter Olympics in the city were a key factor in the project’s ultimate approval, with the province of British Columbia deciding on the PPP format. The private sector partner InTransitBC contributed C$720 million towards the C$2 billion cost. InTransitBC will recoup its costs through payments extending over the 35-year period of the contract. The project’s success is reflected in significant annual increases in boarding passengers.

Confederation Bridge

A design–build–operate–transfer contract to build a new toll road, the Confederation Bridge project used the PPP model favoured by transit private–public partnerships in Canada. The construction of the toll road connects Prince Edward Island with mainland New Brunswick, replacing the existing ferry service. The private partner Scottish Council for Development and Industry designed and constructed the bridge and will maintain the structure for 35 years prior to its transferral to the Canadian Government. Rather than directly financing it, the Government of Canada secured a bond issue for the project.

Public-Private Partnerships

The Government of Canada attested its commitment to PPPs for the purpose of large and smaller scale public infrastructure development through the 2009 establishment of PPP Canada, overseen by the Minister of Finance. The prevalence of PPPs in Canada has grown rapidly over the past 20 years to reach a peak from 2009–11, with 39 projects achieving a final funding totalling  C$21.7 billion. The widespread nature of public–private partnerships has been facilitated by the establishment of dedicated agencies, both federally and provincially. In particular Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario and Quebec have brokered PPP deals through designated policy frameworks. Procurement processes are highly efficient, typically reaching conclusion in 16–18 months due mainly to standardised practices, established legal expertise and strict observance of project timetables.