Since 2021, the Council has consistently championed for the development of a National Infrastructure Assessment to not only outline the immediate needs of today but for several decades.
While we welcome the creation this week of the Canadian Infrastructure Council, which will conduct this evidence-based, expert-driven assessment, we are concerned with its lack of private sector representation, such as contractors and private finance experts, at the table — concerns also raised by our colleagues at the Canadian Construction Association.
We urge Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, to reconsider this omission before the council starts its important work in earnest. Having a dialogue with the private sector is not enough. They have skin in the game and considering not only their views and expertise but their capacity to help deliver is critical in helping shape future policy and priorities and will bolster the 11 Council members.
The private sector — workers, contractors, engineers, and operations and maintenance teams and investors who build and in invest in Canada’s infrastructure — understands the industry’s on-the-ground pressure points. They will bring pragmatism, first-hand knowledge of challenges, and viewpoints on how best to innovate in a way that will actually deliver the best value for Canadian taxpayers.
With the continuing lack of a renewed federal infrastructure program, how this new infrastructure will be funded and financed — without raising taxes — is of vital importance to all of us.
We look forward to gaining further insight into the Council’s scope of work and welcome opportunities to be engaged.
