After four years, the federal government has announced the composition of the newly established Infrastructure Council of Canada, an initiative that aims to lead a national infrastructure assessment and has been a longstanding advocacy priority for the Canadian Construction Association (CCA).
Last month, CCA members took to Parliament Hill to engage with federal MPs on the need for a comprehensive, long-term infrastructure plan. They say the new announcement marks a significant step forward, but concerns remain about the council’s scope and representation.
The Infrastructure Council of Canada is set to prioritize infrastructure projects that address housing needs, including clean water and wastewater systems, public transit, active transportation, and waste management. However, the CCA argues that this focus, while promising, does not fully address the broader infrastructure challenges facing the country.
Transportation and trade facilitation projects, essential for economic growth and community connectivity, remain outside the council’s current mandate.
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“We are pleased to see the federal government finally taking the lead in addressing the need for a long-term plan for Canada’s infrastructure,” announced CCA President Rodrigue Gilbert in a statement. “While the scope of the council is incomplete, we appreciate that the government is finally listening to the industry that actually builds Canada’s infrastructure.”
One major concern highlighted by the CCA is the lack of representation from the construction and finance industries on the council. The association has repeatedly called on the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities to appoint an independent construction industry representative. Without such voices, CCA warns that critical challenges and opportunities in building resilient and effective infrastructure may be overlooked.
The CCA has vowed to closely monitor the development and progress of the Infrastructure Council and has expressed its commitment to continued consultations with both the government and the broader industry.
The minister has announced that the Canadian Infrastructure Council will be composed of 11 experts in relevant infrastructure sectors across the country. Each member will serve on the Council on a part-time basis until March 31, 2027. The council will engage key partners and stakeholders from industry, provincial, territorial, municipal, and Indigenous governments to seek their knowledge and expertise to ensure the first assessment is useful for communities across Canada.
“A National Infrastructure Assessment will help communities across the country plan for infrastructure they will need in the future, while ensuring that it can support a growing population and is resilient to the impacts of climate change,” announced Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, in a statement. “I look forward to reviewing the first assessment that will focus on infrastructure that is essential to building more homes across the country and in turn will help end Canada’s housing crisis.”
