H
Hydrogen
Guest
Canadian cities near collapse, federation says
Globe and Mail Update
November 20, 2007 at 10:51 AM EST
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.
“Canada's economy and quality of life and the health and safety of Canadians depend on the infrastructure our municipalities build and own, yet we don't have the resources to maintain it,†FCM president Gord Steeves said in a release.
“If we don't act soon as a nation to tackle this deficit, we will see more catastrophic failures in our roads, bridges, water supply and other vital infrastructure. Continued delay is unthinkable.â€
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).
“The $123-billion figure, when compared with earlier estimates, clearly shows the municipal infrastructure deficit is growing faster than previously thought,†said Dr. Saeed Mirza of McGill University's Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics, leader of the research team that conducted the study.
“Most municipal infrastructure was built between the 1950s and 1970s, and much of it is due for replacement. As assets reach the end of their service life, repair and replacement costs skyrocket. Across Canada, municipal infrastructure has reached the breaking point.â€
Mr. Steeves said 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. “One thing is certain: The cost of fixing this problem will only go up,†Mr. Steeves said. “Any serious plan to eliminate this deficit must begin with an acknowledgment of the scope of the problem and the urgent need to address it. I have written to all party leaders today. All Canadians look forward to their response.â€
______________
Hello Mr. Harper, you listening?
Globe and Mail Update
November 20, 2007 at 10:51 AM EST
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.
“Canada's economy and quality of life and the health and safety of Canadians depend on the infrastructure our municipalities build and own, yet we don't have the resources to maintain it,†FCM president Gord Steeves said in a release.
“If we don't act soon as a nation to tackle this deficit, we will see more catastrophic failures in our roads, bridges, water supply and other vital infrastructure. Continued delay is unthinkable.â€
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).
“The $123-billion figure, when compared with earlier estimates, clearly shows the municipal infrastructure deficit is growing faster than previously thought,†said Dr. Saeed Mirza of McGill University's Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics, leader of the research team that conducted the study.
“Most municipal infrastructure was built between the 1950s and 1970s, and much of it is due for replacement. As assets reach the end of their service life, repair and replacement costs skyrocket. Across Canada, municipal infrastructure has reached the breaking point.â€
Mr. Steeves said 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. “One thing is certain: The cost of fixing this problem will only go up,†Mr. Steeves said. “Any serious plan to eliminate this deficit must begin with an acknowledgment of the scope of the problem and the urgent need to address it. I have written to all party leaders today. All Canadians look forward to their response.â€
______________
Hello Mr. Harper, you listening?