PAYMENTS TO THE FEDERAL BRIDGE CORPORATION LIMITED PURSUANT TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH EVENTS OF NATIONAL CONCERN PAYMENTS ACT
$1,724,241 in Statutory Authorities for 2020-21
The Government of Canada has approved up to $1,724,241 under the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act for the Federal Bridge Corporation Limited
Key Messages:
- The source of the approximately $1.7 million in statutory authorities is the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act.
- The objective of the funding for the Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (FBCL) is to support the operation of the Seaway International Bridge, an international crossing linking Cornwall (Ontario), Akwesasne, and Massena (New York).
- The funding provided to FBCL is enabling the latter to ensure the continued operation of the Seaway International Bridge, an important crossing whose revenues have declined significantly as a result of COVID-19.
- The Seaway International Bridge is a particularly important connection for the roughly 10,000 Mohawks of Akwesasne who live on Cornwall Island and use the bridge to access the rest of their community, including essential services such as grocery stores.
- Workers in the trucking industry are also benefiting from the funds. While the bridge is used primarily for passenger vehicles, nearly 3% of crossings in 2019 were commercial.
Background
- The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (FBCL), a parent Crown corporation, is responsible for oversight of Canadian federal interests at four international bridges in Ontario: (i) Seaway International Bridge in Cornwall; (ii) Thousand Islands International Bridge in Lansdowne; (iii) Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward (Sarnia); and (iv) Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge in Sault Ste. Marie. FBCL has not previously received appropriations for its day-to-day operations, but has in the past received federal funding for significant capital projects.
- The Seaway International Bridge (SIB) is an international asset equitably owned by Her Majesty in right of Canada and the Government of the United States, as represented respectively by FBCL and the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, an agent of the United States Department of Transportation. Both owners have assigned operation of the international crossing to The Seaway International Bridge Corporation Limited (SIBC), a Crown corporation that is a subsidiary of FBCL.
- The cross-border travel restrictions imposed by the US and Canadian governments due to COVID-19 created a sudden and significant drop in crossings at the SIB, which relies on the collection of tolls to pay for operations.
FUNDING TO THE FEDERAL BRIDGE CORPORATION LIMITED (COVID-19)
$832,083 in Voted Appropriations for 2020-21
Through an off-cycle funding decision, $832,083 has been approved for the Federal Bridge Corporation Limited
Key Messages:
- The source of the $832,083 in funding is a recent off-cycle funding decision.
- The objective of the funding for the Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (FBCL) is to support the operation of the Seaway International Bridge, an international crossing linking Cornwall (Ontario), Akwesasne, and Massena (New York).
- The funding provided to FBCL is enabling the latter to ensure the continued operation of the Seaway International Bridge, an important crossing whose revenues have declined significantly as a result of COVID-19.
- The Seaway International Bridge is a particularly important connection for the roughly 10,000 Mohawks of Akwesasne who live on Cornwall Island and use the bridge to access the rest of their community, including essential services such as grocery stores.
- Workers in the trucking industry are also benefiting from the funds. While the bridge is used primarily for passenger vehicles, nearly 3% of crossings in 2019 were commercial.
Background
- The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (FBCL), a parent Crown corporation, is responsible for oversight of Canadian federal interests at four international bridges in Ontario: (i) Seaway International Bridge in Cornwall; (ii) Thousand Islands International Bridge in Lansdowne; (iii) Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward (Sarnia); and (iv) Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge in Sault Ste. Marie. FBCL has not previously received appropriations for its day-to-day operations, but has in the past received federal funding for significant capital projects.
- The Seaway International Bridge (SIB) is an international asset equitably owned by Her Majesty in right of Canada and the Government of the United States, as represented respectively by FBCL and the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, an agent of the United States Department of Transportation. Both owners have assigned operation of the international crossing to The Seaway International Bridge Corporation Limited (SIBC), a Crown corporation that is a subsidiary of FBCL.
- The cross-border travel restrictions imposed by the US and Canadian governments due to COVID-19 created a sudden and significant drop in crossings at the SIB, which relies on the collection of tolls to pay for operations.