Info Source

Info Source describes the programs and activities, and the information holdings related to programs and activities, of government institutions subject to the Access to Information Act to facilitate the right of access. It also provides individuals, including current and former employees of the Government of Canada, with relevant information to access personal information about themselves held by government institutions subject to the  Privacy Act and to exercise their rights under the Privacy Act.

An index of institutions that are subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act is 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.

Who We Are

History

Mandate, Mission and Governing Legislation

Governance

WDBA is led by a 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 CEO holding office for five years and the directors holding office for up to four years. WDBA is located in Windsor, Ontario.

WDBA is not a subsidy nor holds any subsidiaries. 

Mandate

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).

Major policies: A concise description of WDBAs major policies is as follows:

• Accessibility: This policy affirms WDBA’s commitment to identify, remove and prevent barriers to accessibility and meet WDBA’s obligations under the Accessible Canada Act.
• Access to Information and Privacy: These internal policies ensure that WDBA and its employees comply with federal legislation allowing Canadian citizens, permanent residents and anyone present in Canada the right to access information held by a government institution. 
• Code of Conduct: This group of policies set out a framework to enhance public confidence and trust in the integrity, objectivity and impartiality of WDBA, its Board of Directors and employees. This policy set complements, supports and integrates the fundamental values WDBA set forth in its corporate statements and the Government of Canada’s Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector. 
• Conflict of Interest: This policy assists WDBA persons in identifying situations that present potential conflicts of interest and ensures compliance to the Conflict of Interest Act. 
• Construction Site Safety: While not a policy but rather a Standard, this document exists to provide a clear and concise description of how all employees are expected to behave while on site to ensure the safety of themselves and others.  
• Delegation of Financial and Signing Authority: This policy details WDBA’s commitment to ensuring that adequate controls are in place for the proper authorization of all expenditures and to safeguard the assets of WDBA against loss through fraud, theft or improper use.
• Disclosure of Wrongdoing: This policy enables employees to bring forward information concerning wrongdoing in a manner that is fair and protected from reprisal. This policy complies with the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act.
• Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG): This policy captures WDBA’s commitment to apply ESG principles to the oversight of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project and WDBA’s operations.
• Legal and Regulatory Compliance: This policy sets forth the overarching principles and WDBA’s commitment to action with respect to achieving legal and regulatory compliance.
• Official Languages: WDBA’s Official Languages Policy outlines WDBA’s federally legislated requirements as a Crown corporation to comply with Canada’s Official Languages Act (OLA) which set out the powers, duties and functions of federal institutions with respect to the official languages of Canada. 
   

Engineering  

Engineering is responsible for managing, providing governance, best practices, and project management oversight for 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 Owner’s 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 team delivered Early Works at the Canadian Port of Entry and US Advance Works including utility relocation, demolition and environmental remediation. 

Operations 

The Operations team focuses 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. The responsibilities of this function lie with Legal Services. With regards to Property Acquisition, Legal Services provides thorough reporting, tracking documents, financial information, presentations, graphics, and analysis of data related to US Property Acquisition activities, as carried out by MDOT. Legal Services ensures 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, project contract reports, P3 related reports. Process and guidelines and oversight verification reports, meeting minutes with agendas, agreements, presentations, maps, and briefing notes.

WDBA Record Number: WDBA-02

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: Acquisition Services, Communication Services, Corporate Services, Financial Management Services, Risk Management, Human Resources Management Services, Information Technology and Security Services, Legal Services and Management and Oversight 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 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 WDBA’s 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. 

• Internal Audit and Evaluation 

• Boards, Committees and Councils 

• Governor in Council Appointments 

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 

Risk Management 

The Risk Management team is responsible for implementing and overseeing the Risk Management Program at WDBA.  The Risk Management team manages the Risk Register that has been developed for the organization’s operations 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, Risk Register, Project Risk Management Plan, Enterprise Risk Policies and Procedures.

WDBA Record Number: WDBA-03

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 

• 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 

• Performance Management Reviews 

• Employee Performance Management Program 

• Recruitment and Staffing 

• Applications for Employment 

• Employee Personnel Record 

• Staffing 

• Training and Development 

Information Technology and Security Services

Information Technology and Security 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. Security Services involve activities undertaken to apply safeguards to protect employees, preserve the confidentiality, integrity, availability and value of assets and assure the continued delivery of services from accidental or intentional damage or from unauthorized access. 

• Information Technology 

• Security 

• Physical Access Controls 

• Personnel Security Screening 

• Security Incidents and Privacy Breaches 

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 

• Disclosure of Wrongdoing and Conflicts of Interest 

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

No other government institution other than those listed under the Background and Responsibilities sections contributes to handling the information above. 

No personal information is shared via contracts, information sharing agreements or information sharing arrangements. 

Manuals 

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

For general information about making a request for access to information or personal information, see Make an access to information or personal information request. 

To make a request for information online, access the Access to Information and Personal Information Online Request Service. 

To make a request for information under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act by mail, mail your letter or completed Access to Information Request Form (Access to Information Act) or Personal Information Request Form (Privacy Act), along with any necessary documents (such as consent or the $5 application fee for a request under the Access to Information Act), to the following address: 

Heather Grondin,  
WDBA Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator 
100 Ouellette Avenue, 4th floor 
Windsor, Ontario, N9A 6T3 

You may also send your request by email to heather.grondin [at] wdbridge.com (heather[dot]grondin[at]wdbridge[dot]com). 

Please note: Each request made to WDBA under the Access to Information Act must be accompanied by an application fee of $5, except for those made in recognition of Indigenous reconciliation efforts. For requests made online, this is paid at the time of application via credit card. For requests made by mail, this should be paid by enclosing cheque made payable to Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority. 

The Government of Canada encourages the release of information through requests outside of the formal request process. To make an informal request, contact: 

Heather Grondin, 
WDBA Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator 
100 Ouellette Avenue, 4th floor 
Windsor, Ontario, N9A 6T3 
heather.grondin [at] wdbridge.com 

You may also wish to search summaries of completed access to information requests for which WDBA has already provided responses, as this information may be more easily obtained. 

WDBA will conduct privacy impact assessments (PIAs) to ensure that privacy implications will be appropriately identified, assessed and resolved before a new or substantially modified program or activity involving personal information is implemented. No PIAs have been completed at this time. 

In accordance with the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act, an area on the premises will be made available to review original materials on site if that is the applicant’s preference (and it is practical to do so), or if it is not practical to create copies of the material. The address is: 

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