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The federal government’s report on the responses to its call for input on a national infrastructure assessment appears to be setting the right strategy, in line with submissions from major construction associations, including the Western Canada Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association (WCR&HCA).

“We’re encouraged by Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna’s report, much of which looks to support our suggestions for how and why a national infrastructure assessment should be done,” said WCR&HCA president Chris Lorenc. “This is good news, and hopeful because it furthers the case for significant, long-term investment in our trade corridors and gateways, including a Western Canada Trade Gateways and Corridors Initiative, which we outlined in our submission on June 17.”

There were more than 300 submissions in response to the federal call for input to its Building Pathways to 2050: Moving Forward on the National Infrastructure Assessment.

The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) welcomed the federal report on submissions.

“Released on July 29, the federal government’s report on its National Infrastructure Assessment consultations appears to be a step in the right direction in terms of developing a comprehensive plan for funding and financing a long-term vision for Canada’s infrastructure,” the CCA said, in a communication to members.

Several of the key findings align directly with CCA recommendations, including accelerating the flow of much needed infrastructure investment to communities and a national vision for the future guided by evidence-based and independent expert advice through the development independent, apolitical advisory council, it said.

The seven findings in the federal report on submissions are:

1. The Government of Canada should create an independent advisory body, for example, a commission, to carry out the assessment and provide the government with impartial, expert and evidence-based advice on challenges and opportunities for major infrastructure in Canada covering all sectors of the economy:

• Driving economic growth and competitiveness 
• Achieving net zero emissions by 2050
• Building resilience to climate change
• Promoting inclusivity
• Measuring performance and long-term planning 

2. In order to ensure clear, fact-based advice on Canada’s infrastructure needs and the establishment of a long-term vision, the government should define a clear mandate for the independent advisory body, to conduct a National Infrastructure Assessment of all major infrastructure in Canada, to be updated on a periodic basis, that will include a comprehensive inventory of Canada’s infrastructure gaps, in-depth studies into infrastructure needs in Canada, and recommendations to the government. 

3. As a key component of Canada’s strengthened climate plan, the assessment should work to ensure that infrastructure investments drive us to net-zero emissions and build resilience to climate change. It should establish a strategic approach to near, medium and long-term investment prioritization for Canada for the next 30 years, based on strategic outcomes, including Canada’s economic growth and competitiveness, achieving net zero emissions by 2050, and promoting inclusivity and improving the quality of life for all Canadians. 

4. The independent advisory body should leverage global best practices and domestic experiences and consult and work closely with all levels of government, Indigenous communities, investors, experts, stakeholders, industry and Canadians more broadly to define key gaps and areas of historical underinvestment. 

5. The independent advisory body should engage directly with Indigenous communities to identify infrastructure needs and the infrastructure deficit, consistent with reconciliation and self-determination. 

6. In parallel, the government should: 

• a. Establish consistent, long-term funding guidelines to support sustainable investment, based on Canada’s fiscal capacity, global benchmarks and best practices and make a concerted and sustained effort to expand the range of funding sources beyond the tax base; 

• b. Create a standing process for improved coordination and collaboration between different orders of government, Indigenous communities and other infrastructure owners across the private and public sectors; 

• c. Assess the role of regulatory changes and other pricing mechanisms on future funding of infrastructure projects; 

• Continue to leverage the Canada Infrastructure Bank to accelerate infrastructure development and extend the government funding envelope beyond traditional public funding, by encouraging private sector financing. 

7. The assessment should include a clear set of investment recommendations, including proposed timelines and an infrastructure investment roadmap for Canada that is based on the results of the independent advisory body’s work and a clear understanding of the collective investment capacity. It should also identify new programs required to spur investment in specific areas and to facilitate partnership with the private sector, and it should identify opportunities to prioritize Canadian workers, companies, innovation and materials, including through procurement policies with a focus on sustainable infrastructure.

The report suggests the government will take the following steps:

1. Establish the independent, credible and non-partisan advisory body; provide it with a clear mandate and task it to making recommendations to government
2. Funding to support the work was proposed in Budget 2021 with a commitment of $22.6 million over four years starting 2021–22
3. The Assessment is to establish a near, medium and long-term infrastructure investment prioritization for the next 30 years
4. In parallel the government will look to improve coordination and collaboration with orders of government and others
5. The Canada Infrastructure Bank will continue to play a key and evolving role in developing government-investor partnerships and alternate/innovative financing approaches to expand the funding sources beyond the tax base
6. Commitment to continued engagement and collaboration as this process commences.

“This potentially marks a significant transformation of how investment – not spending – in infrastructure is planned, funded, executed and managed,” said Lorenc, who is also president of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association.