CCA report: Canada must support building resilient infrastructure

Key Takeaways:

• The report noted that to protect infrastructure assets and address the rising strain from increasing population and housing developments, substantial investment is essential.
• It stated that long-term sustainability requires broader support and collaboration. Incentives to pilot new processes and technologies are also needed.
• CCA officials concluded that Canada needs effective policies to ensure infrastructure is built to last. This includes addressing issues like labour shortages, procurement, alternative delivery models, and supply chain challenges.

The Whole Story:

The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) released a report emphasizing the urgent need for increased investment and stronger policies to protect Canadians and their critical infrastructure from the increasing threats of climate change.

The report, titled “Climate resilience in construction: Building for a sustainable future“, stresses the importance of building resilient infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather events, protect lives, and support community well-being. Recent incidents, like the flooding in Toronto and wildfires in Jasper, show these threats are real and disrupt the everyday lives of Canadians. The association added that Calgary’s broken water main signals even deeper problems with Canada’s aging infrastructure.

“Canada’s infrastructure is the backbone of our communities, but it’s under threats from climate-related disasters,” said Rodrigue Gilbert, CCA President. “With much of our infrastructure aging or in poor condition, we must act now to future-proof our infrastructure and meet our environmental goals.”

The association intends for the new report to serve as the next chapter of a critical national conversation around ensuring infrastructure resilience in the face of a changing climate

The association noted that the construction industry is already working to build sustainably, but it cannot do it alone. Significant investment, strategic planning, and collaboration are needed to build infrastructure that is both resilient and sustainable.

“The construction industry is making progress in reducing our environmental impact,” Gilbert added. “But to reach our net-zero objectives and protect our infrastructure, we need support from both stakeholders and all levels of government.”