Info Source

Info Source: Sources of Federal Government and Employee Information provides information about the functions, programs, activities and related information holdings of government institutions subject to the Access to Information Act, and the Privacy Act. It provides individuals and employees of the government (current and former) with relevant information to access personal information about them held by government institutions subject to the Privacy Act and to exercise their rights under the Privacy Act.

The Introduction and an index of institutions subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act are available centrally.

The Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act assign overall responsibility to the President of Treasury Board (as the designated Minister) for the government-wide administration of the legislation.

Created in 2012, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) is a not-for-profit Crown corporation which reports to Parliament through the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. As such, WDBA is wholly owned by the Government of Canada but is structured like a private company and operates independently from government.

WDBA will manage the procurement process for the design, build, financing, operation and maintenance of the new bridge between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan through a public-private partnership (P3). WDBA will select the P3 partner and manage the P3 agreement. WDBA is also responsible for project oversight including the actual construction and operation of the new crossing. As the operator of the new bridge, WDBA will set and collect all tolls.

WDBA is led by a President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and governed by a board of directors who are responsible for overseeing the business activities and other affairs of WDBA. All Directors are approved by the Government of Canada with the Chair and President/CEO holding office for five years and the directors holding office for up to four years. WDBA is located in Windsor, Ontario.

Under the terms of its Letters Patent and of the Crossing Agreement, WDBA is responsible for carrying out the obligations of the Crossing Authority as a party to the Crossing Agreement and to construct, and / or operate the Gordie Howe International Bridge project.

WDBA’s mission is to construct and / or operate the Gordie Howe International Bridge project, alone or together, with one or more governmental authorities, and to do so directly or under one or more public-private partnership agreements (P3 Agreements) with one or more private sector partners procured through a competitive procurement process as contemplated by the Crossing Agreement.

Governing legislation: WDBA is a non-parent Crown corporation established by Letters Patent pursuant to ss.29(1) of the International Bridges and Tunnels Act. It is a Schedule III, Part I parent Crown corporation under Part X of the Financial Administration Act (FAA).

Engineering and Operations

Engineering and Operations is responsible for managing and overseeing the planning, design, and construction of the Bridge, US and Canada Ports of Entry and Michigan Interchange. This includes roads and bridges, buildings, utilities, and environmental aspects of the P3 project.

In conjunction with the Owners Engineer, (Parsons) and Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the team works in an integrated project team to review and approve designs, onsite and offsite construction for compliance with the Project Agreement and Technical Requirements in particular.

The team is focused on compliance with design and construction requirements, meeting safety, quality, schedule, and cost objectives.

In advance of construction of the project components through a public-private partnership, the Engineering and Operations team delivered Early Works at the Canadian Port of Entry and US Advance Works including utility relocation, demolition and environmental remediation.

The Engineering & Operations team also focus on the long-term operations, maintenance and rehabilitation requirements of the project and the transition from construction to operations.  This includes commissioning, building maintenance systems, tolling, intelligent transportation systems and traffic operations.  Operational components span the lifetime of the bridge and are designed to improve the day-to-day travel experience for people and goods movement between Canada and the US.

Description: Includes records related to the design and implementation of the Gordie Howe International Bridge and the infrastructure associated with it. Includes records detailing environmental observation, planning, testing, monitoring, mitigation, and actions. Includes records detailing communications between involved parties (government and private). Includes conceptual and detailed designs and design documents (foundation reports, wind engineering studies, specifications) for the bridge and the infrastructure associated with it. Includes final signed and sealed construction drawings, construction documents (method statements, inspection and test plans, material approval reports, review submittals, records and mandatory reports) as well as work schedules. Includes progress reports, inspection and test reports, and quality documentation related to on-site activities. Includes support documents for contracts with third parties. Includes the management of contracts. Includes financial records, including payment records and invoices. Includes records detailing utility relocation plans and agreements regarding utilities. Records related to the design, build, finance, operation and maintenance of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project. Includes standards and specifications and spatial information. Includes records related to security, safety, traffic analysis, traffic management, and intelligent transportation systems. Includes records related to landscape architecture and urban design, tolling, railways, non-motorized vehicles, buildings, pavement markings, drainage, roadways, visual quality and lighting.

Document types: Environmental assessments and reports, design documents, design reviews, project management and execution plans; construction documents (method statements, working drawings, material approval reports; receiving material reports); oversight verification reports, non-compliance reports, owner verification testing results; quality assurance testing results and monitoring reports, environmental mitigation and monitoring documentation, soil and ground water management, geotechnical and archaeological reports, property surveys, photographs, construction schedules, progress reports, drawings and specifications, approvals and permits, contract management documentation, presentations, correspondence, briefing notes, records chronicling decisions, meeting agendas and minutes, memoranda, procedures and guidelines, utility relocation plans, drawings, specifications and agreements.

WDBA Record Number: WDBA-01

Property Acquisition

Responsibilities in this area involve coordinating, analyzing, and reporting on activities related to the US Property Acquisition file. Our Team provides thorough reporting, tracking documents, financial information, presentations, graphics, and analysis of data related to US Property Acquisition activities, as carried out by MDOT. We ensure the file is managed and understood from all angles, from appraisals to acquisition to relocation to environmental investigations to demolition.

Description: Records related to general reporting on progress of MDOT property acquisition. Includes records related to data collection and analysis and the dispersal of funds. Records may include information on parcels provided by MDOT and need by dates.

Document Types: status reports, schedules, spreadsheets, financial logs, meeting minutes with agendas, agreements, presentations, maps, and briefing notes.

WDBA Record Number: WDBA-02

Enterprise Project Management Office

The Enterprise Project Management Office operates at a strategic level and is committed to providing governance, best practices, and project management oversight of one of the largest infrastructure projects in North America.

The EPMO is responsible for developing, leading, and coordinating the P3 construction governance reporting framework. Manage the mechanics of the governance framework, while ensuring stakeholders are appropriately engaged through communications and relationship building and to ensure decisions are rendered on a timely basis.  This includes oversight of all component activities in compliance with the Project Agreement. Working with other business units with a focus to assure project scope requirements are met, while monitoring project performance in the areas of cost, schedule, and risk. The team also has accountability for the Change Management process and is the point of contact for the Change Management function. Manage change lifecycle through to final decision, while maintaining records of all potential and pending Changes to the Project scope, schedule, and cost. The team works collaboratively with all involved parties to effect continuous improvement to the Change Management process. Maintain records of all matters that impact the Project and ensure successful transition to the appropriate internal Business Units. Oversight includes monthly reviews by various Business Units and P3-related obligations for the design, construction, financing, operation, and maintenance all of which are conducted in accordance with the Project Agreement. Since the onset of the P3 Project Design-Build phase, scheduling has provided oversight, comprising of analytics, metrics and reporting on a monthly Design-Build (DB) Schedule Updates.

Document Types: Project contract reports, P3 related reports, management, and executive progress reports.  Scheduling information, briefing notes, meeting agendas and minutes, processes, and guidelines, and oversight verification reports.

WDBA Record Number: WDBA-03

Internal Services

Internal Services are groups of related activities and resources that are administered to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations of an organization. These groups are: Management and Oversight Services; Communications Services; Legal Services; Human Resources Management Services; Financial Management Services; Information Management Services; Information Technology Services; Real Property Services; Materiel Services; Acquisition Services; and Travel and Other Administrative Services. Internal Services include only those activities and resources that apply across an organization and not to those provided specifically to a program.

Acquisition Services

Acquisition Services involve activities undertaken to acquire a good or service to fulfill a properly completed request (including a complete and accurate definition of requirements and certification that funds are available) until entering into or amending a contract.

• Procurement and Contracting
  • Professional Services Contracts

Communications Services

Communications Services involve activities undertaken to ensure that Government of Canada communications are effectively managed, well coordinated and responsive to the diverse information needs of the public. The communications management function ensures that the public - internal or external - receives government information, and that the views and concerns of the public are taken into account in the planning, management and evaluation of policies, programs, services and initiatives.

• Communications
  • Executive Correspondence
  • Internal Communications
  • Public Communications

Corporate & Administrative Services

The services group supports the Board of Directors by providing and coordinating administrative and business management assistance and specialized services, including analyses, audits and strategic advice regarding a variety of business development and management issues related to WDBAs mission, vision, needs and objectives. Also, the group proactively offers leadership, facilitation and mediation support in overseeing the development of corporate policies, programs, standards and procedures. Functions of the group are broad-ranging to match the interests of the Board and the direction of the organization and include: property management; purchasing and office support; employee and stakeholder relations, and; overseeing the setting and consistent application of corporation-wide standards and policies.

• Internal Audit and Evaluation
  • Internal Audit
• Boards, Committees and Councils
  • Governor in Council Appointments
• Disclosure of Wrongdoing and Conflicts of Interest
  • Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector and Organizational code(s) of Conduct
  • Disclosure of Wrongdoing in the Workplace

Financial Management Services

Financial Management Services involve activities undertaken to ensure the prudent use of public resources, including planning, budgeting, accounting, reporting, control and oversight, analysis, decision support and advice, and financial systems.

• Financial Management
  • Accounts Payable
  • Accounts Receivable

Performance Improvement & Risk Management

The Performance Improvement and Risk Management team is responsible for implementing and overseeing the Performance Improvement and Risk Management Program at WDBA.  Areas for performance improvement at the corporate level are identified in conjunction with Internal Audit and Risk Management teams as well as business unit self-assessments. The Performance Improvement and Risk Management team also manages the Risk Register that has been developed for the project ensuring WDBA is conducting its risk management responsibilities effectively. Risks assessments and mitigation strategies are reviewed and challenged to ensure risks are appropriately identified, reviewed and properly managed.

Document types: Reports, Meeting Minutes and Risk Register.

WDBA Record Number: WDBA-04

Human Resources Management Services

Human Resources Management Services involve activities undertaken for determining strategic direction, allocating resources among services and processes, as well as activities relating to analyzing exposure to risk and determining appropriate counter measures. They ensure that the service operations and programs of the federal government comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and plans.

• Classification of Positions
• Compensation and Benefits
  • Attendance and Leave
  • Pay and Benefits
• Human Resources Planning
• Labour Relations
  • Canadian Human Rights Act - Complaints
  • Discipline
  • Harassment
  • Disclosure of Wrongdoing in the Workplace
  • Values and Ethics Codes for the Public Sector and Organizational Code(s) of Conduct
• Occupational Health and Safety
  • Employee Assistance
  • Harassment
  • Occupational Health and Safety
• Performance Management Reviews
  • Discipline
  • Employee Performance Management Program
• Recruitment and Staffing
  • Applications for Employment
  • Employee Personnel Record
  • Personnel Security Screening
  • Staffing
• Training and Development
  • Training and Development

Information Technology Services

Information Technology Services involve activities undertaken to achieve efficient and effective use of information technology to support government priorities and program delivery, to increase productivity, and to enhance services to the public.

• Information Technology
  • Electronic Network Monitoring Logs
  • Identification Cards and Access Badges
  • Security Incidents and Privacy Breaches
  • Security Video Surveillance and Temporary Visitor Access Control Logs and Access Badges

Legal Services

Legal Services involve activities undertaken to enable government departments and agencies to pursue policy, program and service delivery priorities and objectives within a legally sound framework.

• Legal Services

Management and Oversight Services

Management and Oversight Services involve activities undertaken for determining strategic direction, and allocating resources among services and processes, as well as those activities related to analyzing exposure to risk and determining appropriate countermeasures. They ensure that the service operations and programs of the federal government comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies, or plans.

• Cooperation and Liaison

To make an access to information and privacy request, please complete and forward this form for information requests and this form for privacy requests or your written request to Heather Grondin, WDBA Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator, 100 Ouellette Avenue, 4th floor, Windsor, Ontario, N9A 6T3 or by email at heather.grondin [at] wdbridge.com. Each request is subject to a $5 application fee made payable to Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority.

WDBA at present has no manuals such as instructions, handbooks or procedures used by employees in administering institutional programs that affect the general public.

In accordance with the Access to Information Act and Privacy Act, an area on the premises of this institution has been designated as a public reading room. The address is:

100 Ouellette Ave.
Suite 400
Windsor, Ontario
N9A 6T3