According to Statistics Canada, replacing Canada’s crumbling roads and water systems will cost hundreds of billions of dollars.
On Monday, the Office for National Statistics published the results of its 2022 survey of government agencies responsible for public infrastructure. Statistics Canada estimates it will cost $356.7 billion to replace roads and water systems that the study says are in “poor” or “very poor” condition.
This cost estimate has jumped more than $100 billion since 2020, the first year the study was conducted.
The agency defines “very poor” items of infrastructure as those that pose a public health or safety hazard and require immediate replacement of “most or all of the assets.” It defines infrastructure in “poor” condition as requiring “substantial work” but that does not pose an immediate health or safety risk.
Water infrastructure, including drinking water, sewage, and storm drains, has become a major concern due to extensive flooding over the past year.
Record heavy rain hits North Vancouver overwhelmed the rainwater system Major flooding occurred across the district over the weekend.
major Montreal’s Aqueduct Embankment in August It caused flooding and boil warnings. The City of Calgary declared a local state of emergency in June, and once it was lifted, asked residents to reduce their water consumption. The city’s main water pipes have broken down..
a massive storm caused Massive flooding occurs on Toronto streets This summer, the following questions arose: City infrastructure is built to withstand heavy rains.
More than a tenth of Canada’s water systems are considered to be in “poor” or “very poor” condition, according to a study by Statistics Canada. We estimate that replacing these systems will cost $106.5 billion.
However, authorities point out that 29,000 kilometers of new water pipes were installed between 2020 and 2022. This equates to an average of 9,700 kilometers per year. record population growth.
“These lengths of pipe were added at a faster pace than the 57,576km installed between 2010 and 2019 (5,758km per year) and the 72,015km installed between 2000 and 2009 (7,202km per year).” said Statistics Canada.
It would cost $250.2 billion to replace road infrastructure considered to be in “bad” or “very poor” condition, research suggests. Statistics Canada includes bridges, tunnels, public transit, sidewalks, and bike paths in its road infrastructure calculations.
But authorities have warned that 17% of public transport infrastructure and 42% of “active transport assets”, including cycleways and footpaths, are in an unknown state.
According to Statistics Canada, provincial governments oversee the majority of road infrastructure.
The agency estimates it would cost $2.6 trillion to replace all of Canada’s road and water infrastructure, including systems considered to be in good condition.
