Much of Canada’s infrastructure is owned, operated and maintained by local governments, including infrastructure that supports and enables trade and economic development. But a new Mowat Centre report,
From the Ground Up, finds that Canada isn’t tapping the full potential of local governments to meaningfully engage in strategic planning and development on large-scale, productivity-enhancing infrastructure.
Canada’s economy depends on a robust network of public infrastructure to grow and remain competitive on the global stage. Our infrastructure network enables trade, connects communities and bolsters productivity. Local governments across the country play an essential role in making this network possible.
From the Ground Up concludes that greater coordination, stronger leadership and more strategic investments would better incorporate local input and maximize the impact of every dollar spent on public infrastructure.
The new federal government has promised increased infrastructure investment and has recognized in its mandate the value of focusing on trade-enabling infrastructure and coordinating with all levels of government.
From the Ground Up offers guiding principles and recommendations that the federal government, as well as other levels of government, should consider as it moves forward.
