A new report warns that Canada's municipal infrastructure, much of it many decades old, is in urgent need of investment and upgrading.
The physical foundations of Canada's cities and communities are "near collapse," according to a report on the state of municipal infrastructure released Tuesday by Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
"Danger Ahead: The Coming Collapse of Canada's Municipal Infrastructure" says that close to 80 per cent of Canada's infrastructure is past its service life and sets the price for eliminating the municipal infrastructure deficit at $123-billion.
The FCM says the report provides a snapshot of what municipal governments identify as their infrastructure funding needs. It does not provide an exhaustive or complete account of the physical condition of municipal infrastructure.
The $123-billion estimate in the study includes "sub-deficits" for key categories of municipal infrastructure: water and waste water systems ($31-billion), transportation ($21.7-billion), transit ($22.8-billion, solid-waste management ($7.7-billion) and community, recreational, cultural and social infrastructure ($40.2-billion).
FCM is calling on the federal government and all parties in the House of Commons to acknowledge the need for a real national plan to fix the municipal infrastructure deficit once and for all.
FULL STORY: Canadian cities near collapse, federation says

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie