Infrastructure is an investment – not an expense. It is an investment in the economic, social and environmental prosperity of this country. ACEC applauds the commitment by all parties to support infrastructure renewal.
The recent investments made possible by the Building Canada Fund and the Economic Action Plan have demonstrated how investing in infrastructure has significantly strengthened Canada’s economy. While all levels of government have roles and responsibilities for Canada’s infrastructure, the federal government’s leadership has played an important role in the success of these programs. These programs were particularly important in helping to address the significant decrease in infrastructure investment since the 1960s.
ACEC recommends that the federal government begin work immediately to develop a national, long-term infrastructure plan. The resulting strategy could be executed in 2014 when the budget is expected to be balanced and as the Building Canada Fund is scheduled to expire. This will allow future investments to have the most meaningful and cost-effective benefits for Canadians.