Vrooman departs as chair of Canada Infrastructure Bank – Daily Commercial News

OTTAWA — Federal Housing Minister Sean Fraser has announced the departure of Tamara Vrooman from her role as chairperson of the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB), which was effective Jan. 27.

Vrooman was appointed in 2021 and under her guidance the CIB’s portfolio reached over 50 investment commitments, states a release, including 45 projects that have reached financial closure and 36 that are in active construction or operation.

“Additionally, she played a key role in expanding CIB’s mandate to support a low-carbon economy transition and enhancing Indigenous partnerships,” it reads. “Also, her commitment to maintaining a diverse and dynamic board of directors has been a cornerstone of her leadership.”

In the interim, Jane Bird, a member of the CIB’s board of directors, will assume responsibility for the oversight of the CIB until a permanent chairperson is appointed by the governor in council.

Bird has been a member of the board since November 2017.

The CIB is a federal Crown corporation established to “ensure Canadians benefit from modern and sustainable infrastructure,” the release reads.

As of Sept. 30, 2023, the CIB has committed $10.1 billion of its capital to 51 projects and attracted $9.9 billion in private and institutional investment in five priority sectors: public transit, clean power, green infrastructure, broadband and trade and transportation.

Under its Indigenous Community Infrastructure Initiative, the CIB also supports investments in infrastructure projects in partnership with Indigenous communities across its priority sectors.