Canada’s decline in infrastructure rankings can be attributed to several key factors:
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Shovel Ready Spending: This approach involves initiating large projects without comprehensive long-term planning, leading to resources being allocated arbitrarily rather than strategically.
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Lack of Sector Collaboration: By not involving the private sector effectively, Canada misses opportunities for shared expertise and partnership, which are crucial for sustainable infrastructure development.
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Misaligned Priorities: Projects often focus on short-term fixes without considering broader economic goals like trade efficiency or climate resilience, resulting in inefficient resource use.
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Need for Strategic National Plans: Implementing a cohesive national infrastructure plan that prioritizes investments aligned with long-term strategies is essential but currently lacking due to insufficient coordination between government and private partners.
To address these issues, Canada should adopt a more strategic approach to infrastructure development, integrating business interests and ensuring projects align with national priorities. The Canada West Foundation’s report offers insights from successful models elsewhere, highlighting the importance of comprehensive planning and sectoral collaboration for effective infrastructure building.
