Friday, April 18, 2025
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) released its 2019 Canadian Infrastructure Report Card, showing the need for significant investment in the country’s aging and poor infrastructure assets.
“We’re talking about roads, bridges, libraries, arenas and more—things Canadians rely on every day,” said Bill Karsten, President of FCM. “Good, reliable infrastructure supports our quality of life in communities across the country, so Canadians should find these results concerning.”
The 2019 Canadian Infrastructure Report Card—produced by FCM and seven partner organizations—examines the state of Canada’s public infrastructure. Among the key findings:
- Nearly 40 per cent of roads and bridges are in fair, poor or very poor condition, with roughly 80 percent being more than 20 years old.
- Between 30 and 35 per cent of recreational and cultural facilities are in fair, poor or very poor condition. In some categories (such as pools, libraries and community centres), more than 60 per cent are at least 20 years old.
- 30 per cent of water infrastructure (such as watermains and sewers) are in fair, poor or very poor condition.
“This report shows the importance of long-term investments in renewing the infrastructure that’s already in our communities—even as we envision new projects to build,” said Karsten. “For municipal leaders, the best way to do that is through the federal Gas Tax Fund transfer.”
Every year the federal Gas Tax Fund delivers $2 billion directly to 3,600 municipalities for infrastructure renewal. Its challenge is its scale. Every year, it leaves key projects unfunded.
“The Gas Tax Fund transfer works because it empowers local leaders on the ground who know what’s needed, and who have renewal projects ready to go. Without action now, the services Canadians rely on today will be at risk in the next decade.”
To read a copy of the report, visit: canadianinfrastructure.ca/en/index.html
