Kelowna 
Total investment in the top 100 public infrastructure projects has reached a record-breaking $293 billion, finds ReNew Canada, a national business publication on infrastructure, in their annual Top100 Projects report.
BSite C Clean Energy Project – Photo credit: BC Hydro
This annual compilation, a staple since 2005, lists Canada’s 100 most significant public sector infrastructure projects in various stages,of development, including procurement, assessment, design, or construction. All projects included have secured funding and are ranked based on total confirmed costs.
Among these, the top five projects are:
- Site C Clean Energy Project — A $16 billion hydroelectric project in British Columbia near Fort St. John, is 80% complete and set to operate by 2025, using water from the existing Williston Reservoir.
- GO Expansion – On Corridor Works — The $15.705 billion On-Corridor Works rail project in Ontario’s Greater Toronto-Hamilton Area, slated for completion in 2032, is part of Metrolinx’s GO Rail Expansion. It’s a Progressive DBOM model project aimed at modernizing and electrifying the regional rail network.
- Bruce Power Refurbishment — The $13 billion Bruce Power nuclear project in Tiverton, funded privately, aims to extend the site’s operational life until 2064. The project includes replacing major reactor components, with completion expected by 2033.
- Darlington Nuclear Refurbishment — The $12.8 billion, publicly funded project spans 20 years, focusing on upgrading reactor components. The project, in its execution phase until 2026, sequentially refurbishes four reactors.
- The Eglinton Crosstown LRT — The $12.571 billion Eglinton Avenue LRT project in Toronto, funded through P3, will connect Mount Dennis and Kennedy Station by 2024. It features an 11-km underground section and dedicated transit lanes.
While the investment of $293 billion is spread over multiple years, the 2024 report also features 15 new projects, with a collective value nearing $20 billion. The building development sector dominates these additions, featuring essential healthcare developments like the South Niagara Hospital ($3,600,000,000) and the Surrey Hospital and B.C. Cancer Centre ($2,880,000,000).
ReNew Canada says transit projects lead with a total value of $122 billion across 26 projects. Following are the building sector with 31 projects ($51 billion), the energy sector with nine projects ($48 billion), the transportation sector with 19 projects ($41 billion), and a combined sector of water/wastewater, remediation, and communications with 15 projects ($31 billion).
Geographically, Ontario leads with 42 projects, followed by British Columbia (22), Quebec (17), and Alberta (10).
Top 25 Infrastructure Projects
Metrolinx’ $15.7 billion GO Expansion—On-Corridor Works/Photo credit: Metrolinx
- Site C Clean Energy Project — $16,000,000,000
- GO Expansion – On-Corridor Works — $15,705,000,000
- Bruce Power Refurbishment — $13,000,000,000
- Darlington Nuclear Refurbishment — $12,800,000,000
- Eglinton Crosstown LRT — $12,571,000,000
- Ontario Line — $10,900,000,000
- GO Expansion Projects – Early Works — $10,513,000,000
- Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant — $9,900,000,000
- Réseau express métropolitain — $8,000,000,000
- TTC Vehicles Program — $7,175,000,000
- Montreal Metro Blue Line East Extension — $6,400,000,000
- Gordie Howe International Bridge — $6,400,000,000
- Hazel McCallion (Hurontario) LRT — $5,632,000,000
- Scarborough Subway Extension — $5,500,000,000
- Centre Block Rehabilitation Project — $4,999,999,998
- Green Line LRT — $4,900,000,000
- Eglinton Crosstown West Extension — $4,700,000,000
- Ottawa LRT – Stage 2 — $4,675,000,000
- Fraser River Tunnel Project — $4,150,000,000
- Surrey Langley SkyTrain Project — $4,010,000,000
- Accelerated High-Speed Internet Program (Ontario Connects) — $3,889,000,000
- South Niagara Hospital — $3,600,000,000
- Finch West LRT — $3,433,000,000
- Hamilton LRT — $3,400,000,000
- Don River and Central Waterfront & Connected Projects — $3,000,000,000
For all the 100 projects and information about each, visit the website.
