Introduction
The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (FBCL) is a corporation created under the Canada Business Corporations Act. The corporation is listed in Schedule III Part 1 of the Financial Administration Act and is an agent of His Majesty. FBCL is a parent Crown corporation that reports to the Parliament of Canada through the Minister of Transport.
FBCL amalgamated with the St. Mary’s River Bridge Company (SMRBC), a wholly-owned subsidiary, on January 27, 2015, and the Blue Water Bridge Authority (BWBA), a parent Crown corporation, on February 1, 2015. Amalgamation with its remaining subsidiary, The Seaway International Bridge Corporation, Limited (SIBC), is expected to occur at a later date, once agreement with its U.S. partner, the Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS), is reached. The amalgamated FBCL is responsible for the Canadian federal interest at four international bridge locations in Ontario, as follows:
Sault Ste. Marie
Ownership of the Canadian interest in the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge. The bridge is managed by the International Bridge Administration (IBA), an entity of the State of Michigan, U.S., through an international agreement between the asset owners, FBCL and the IBA, a division of the Michigan Department of Transport (MDOT). The bridge operations are overseen by a joint international Board of Directors, the Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority (SSMBA);
Point Edward / Sarnia
Ownership, management, and operation of the Canadian portion of the twinned Blue Water Bridge, linking Point Edward, Ontario to Port Huron, Michigan. FBCL works in close cooperation with MDOT, the owner, manager, and operator of the U.S. portion of the bridge;
Lansdowne / Thousand Islands
Ownership of the Canadian interest in the Thousand Islands International Bridge. The bridge is managed by Thousand Island Bridges Authority (TIBA), an entity of the State of New York, U.S., under a bi-national agreement between the asset owners, FBCL and TIBA; and
Seaway / Cornwall
Ownership of the Canadian interest in the Seaway International Bridge Crossing. FBCL is responsible for management of the whole bridge crossing including the North Channel Bridge, an international roadway, and the South Channel Bridge. The operations are managed by international agreement as a joint venture by the SIBC on behalf of the asset owners, FBCL and GLS, a federal U.S. entity. Major Canadian capital projects are undertaken directly by FBCL.
Mandate
FBCL’s mandate, approved by the Minister of Transport and established within the executed Amalgamation Agreement of its legacy corporations, is to provide the highest level of stewardship so that its international bridges and associated structures are safe and efficient for users.
The business or undertaking of the Corporation shall be limited to the following:
A) The design, construction, acquisition, financing, maintenance, operation, management, development, repair, demolition or reconstruction of bridges or other related structures, facilities, works or properties, including approaches, easements, power or communication transmission equipment, pipelines integrated with any such bridge, other related structure, facility, work, or property, linking the Province of Ontario in Canada to the State of New York or the State of Michigan in the United States of America, either alone, jointly or in cooperation with any other person, legal entity or governmental authority in Canada or in the United States of America;
B) The design, construction, acquisition, financing, maintenance, operation, management, development, repair, demolition or reconstruction of other bridges or other related structures, facilities, works or properties, as the Governor in Council may deem appropriate, on such terms and conditions as the Governor in Council may determine; and
C) Any business, undertaking or other activities incidental to any bridge, or other related structure, facility, work or property contemplated in paragraph (a) or (b).
For the foregoing purposes, the Corporation has, subject to the Financial Administration Act, the Canada Business Corporations Act, and these articles, as amended from time to time, the capacities and powers of a natural person.
The Corporation
FBCL has established a vision, mission, and pillars to help define the framework for the corporation’s strategic direction.
Vision
Striving to optimize the safety, security, sustainability, and capacity of bridge operations to the benefit of Canada while serving the traveling public with efficiency and respect.
Mission
FBCL is a Crown corporation responsible for the oversight of Canadian federal interests in four selected international bridge crossings between Canada and the United States.
Pillars
FBCL will deliver its mission through 5 key pillars:
- 1. An organization operating with a portfolio management approach and focused on providing excellent customer service;
- 2. Stewardship of the bridge assets under its responsibility, focused on safety and security through a program of independent inspections, and appropriate capital and maintenance programs;
- 3. Effective use of technology, utilizing common platforms to ensure efficiency of operations and accuracy of information, managed in a manner that limits associated risk and cost;
- 4. Sustainability of operations, maintenance and administration through a shared revenue approach, prioritized investment, toll optimization and cost containment; and,
- 5. Sound governance of the corporation, through an optimized structure, the required capacity and skills, and strong relationships with stakeholders.
