Report on infrastructure calls for greater and urgent investment in core works, says CCA

Canada’s public infrastructure requires urgent attention in the coming decades in order to reverse the current state of disrepair, according to the 2019 edition of the Canadian Infrastructure Report Card (CIRC).

“Data from the report revealed that Canada’s public infrastructure is at serious risk,” said Mary Van Buren, CCA president. “It will require rehabilitation and replacement in the next few decades to ensure services provided continue to meet the needs of communities.”

The report, released by founding CIRC partners (CCA, Canadian Public Works Association, Canadian Society for Civil Engineering and the Federation for Canadian Municipalities), provides a timely update on the state of Canada’s public infrastructure across all core public infrastructure asset categories: roads and bridges; culture, recreation and sports facilities; potable water; wastewater; stormwater; public transit; and solid waste.

The Canadian Urban Transit Association, Canadian Network of Asset Managers and Association of Consulting Engineering Companies (ACEC) also participated in the 2019 edition.

Key takeaways and next steps

Evidence informing the 2019 report shows that a concerning amount of municipal infrastructure is in poor or very poor condition. Infrastructure in this condition represents an immediate need for action, as the rehabilitation or replacement of these assets is required in the next five to 10 years to ensure that the services it provides continue to meet the community’s expectations.

An even larger proportion of municipal infrastructure is in fair condition. Infrastructure in this condition represents a view of things to come in the medium- to long-term. This infrastructure will continue to deteriorate over the next decade, falling into poor and very poor condition if rehabilitation or replacement actions are not taken.

CIRC partners are unanimous in calling upon all parties competing in the 2019 federal election to commit to addressing these shortfalls in their respective infrastructure platforms.

“CCA has made infrastructure a cornerstone of its #Construction4CDNs advocacy campaign,” said Van Buren. “Today’s release of the CIRC only strengthens our resolve in calling for a long-term 25-year blueprint for infrastructure spending in this country to ensure assets are routinely monitored and restored, preventing them from falling into such serious states of disrepair.”

The 2019 Canadian Infrastructure Report Card can be found online at canadianinfrastructure.ca.