New coalition launches to champion Canada's infrastructure economy

Nine national organizations have joined forces and are launching the Canadian Infrastructure Report Card (CIRC) Coalition

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, August 26, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Canada’s local infrastructure is the foundation to the federal government’s ambitious, nation-building agenda and strong, healthy communities. However, 11 percent of core public infrastructure is rated in poor or very poor condition, representing approximately $237 billion in backlog repair costs.

That’s why nine national organizations have joined forces and are launching the Canadian Infrastructure Report Card (CIRC) Coalition. This network of infrastructure-focused organizations consists of local governments, engineers, builders, transit systems, asset managers, parks and recreation leaders, public works professionals and the municipal water sector.

Together, these organizations plan and spend billions of dollars on infrastructure investments each year.

CIRC Coalition Members
• Federation of Canadian Municipalities
• Association of Consulting Engineering Companies
• Canadian Construction Association
• Canada Urban Transit Association
• Canadian Network of Asset Managers
• Canadian Parks and Recreation Association
• Canadian Public Works Association
• Canadian Society for Civil Engineering
• Canadian Water and Wastewater Association

Upcoming Report Card

The Coalition produces the Canadian Infrastructure Report Card, Canada's leading assessment of the condition of local infrastructure. Based on data collected through Statistics Canada's Core Public Infrastructure Survey, the report card has helped decision-makers understand infrastructure needs across the country. The upcoming edition, expected in early 2027, will be the first Canadian Infrastructure Report Card released since 2019, providing a renewed national picture of the condition of Canada’s local infrastructure.

CIRC Coalition recommendations to the federal government

Meanwhile, to help close infrastructure gaps and build a stronger Canadian economy, the Coalition is urging the next federal budget to:
- Increase long-term, predictable infrastructure funding to close the current infrastructure deficit and address immediate needs.
- Address workforce shortage gaps to ensure infrastructure projects have the workers needed to stay on track without delay, including employment pathways for youth and post-secondary education;
- Continue supporting important infrastructure assessment work being conducted by the Canadian Infrastructure Council (CIC) and leverage the assessments through data-driven research to establish a long-term strategy to address infrastructure planning and funding; and
- Support municipal capacity development in asset management planning, especially for small and rural communities to improve decision-making and lower costs.

Quotes

“Municipal infrastructure is the backbone of the Canadian economy. Leaving it in poor condition undermines Canada’s long-term economic strength. With the Canadian Infrastructure Report Card Coalition, FCM calls for stronger infrastructure that supports trade, housing, defense and community well-being.”
-Tim Tierney, President, Federation of Canadian Municipalities

“Investment in infrastructure is an investment in Canadians. We will not build the housing we need or achieve our economic ambitions without sound, evidence-based decisions about where and how we invest. The Canadian Infrastructure Report Card will provide the reliable data we need to set priorities, manage assets wisely and deliver lasting value for Canadians and for our communities.”
-John Gamble, President and CEO, Association of Consulting Engineering Companies

“Strong infrastructure starts with good information. The Canadian Infrastructure Report Card will help identify where investments are needed most and support better decisions on funding, procurement and workforce capacity to move important projects from planning to construction”
-Rodrigue Gilbert, President, Canadian Construction Association

“Public transit infrastructure is essential to Canada’s economic growth and to keeping communities connected. As transit systems face aging assets and growing demands, long-term, predictable investment is critical to maintaining existing infrastructure and building the capacity Canadians will need for generations to come. CUTA is proud to join the CIRC Coalition to ensure public transit is part of this important national picture of Canada’s infrastructure needs."
-Marco D'Angelo, President and CEO, Canada Urban Transit Association

“A critical component of meeting Canada’s infrastructure challenge is to manage the infrastructure assets we already have. Asset management professionals help communities turn reliable data into informed, long-term decisions about where to invest, when to intervene and how to get the greatest value from public infrastructure. CNAM is proud to bring the asset management perspective to this national coalition and to continue building the knowledge, skills and capacity communities need to make those decisions with confidence.”
-Nzinga White, Executive Director, Canadian Network of Asset Managers

"Recreation and parks are a necessary public good, the places where health, belonging, and resilience are built in every community in Canada. They are also core public infrastructure, and among the most deteriorated we have: more than a third of the country's recreation and sport facilities are in fair or worse condition. CPRA joins this coalition because a stronger Canada is built in these places, and they cannot be allowed to fail."
-Martin Sampson, CEO, Canadian Parks and Recreation Association

“Strong infrastructure is essential to building resilient communities, strengthening Canada's economy, and improving the quality of life for all Canadians. As public works professionals, the Canadian Infrastructure Report Card provides us with an indication of where we need to improve our infrastructure, while also providing insight into where to spend our limited resources.”
-Angela Storey, President, Canadian Public Works Association

Canada's infrastructure is aging, digitally underinvested, and facing unprecedented demands. To remain globally competitive, a transformative infrastructure strategy is needed to address both community needs and national security priorities. As a learned society and the voice for civil engineering in Canada, CSCE recognizes the Canadian Infrastructure Report Card as a critical source for advancing research and for planning post-secondary education to prepare the next generation of professionals to deliver resilient and sustainable infrastructure across Canada.
-Dr. Farnaz Sadeghpour, President, Canadian Society for Civil Engineering

“The federal government has a clear focus on housing, but you can’t build housing without reliable water and wastewater systems. In their latest report, the Canada Infrastructure Council identified water and wastewater as the most critical ‘housing-enabling’ infrastructure.”
-Robert Haller, Executive Director, Canadian Water and Wastewater Association

Bill Reny
Canadian Society for Civil Engineering
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