In 2016, the federal government committed $60 billion in new infrastructure funding over the next 10 years – a critically important investment in the future of Canada.

In response to this new chapter in our nation’s infrastructure story, CivicAction – in partnership with Deloitte, the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, engaged multi-sector civic and community leaders from across the GTHA in a series of roundtables and interviews to hear their voices and perspectives on how the federal government’s infrastructure investment strategy can bring maximum economic, social, and environmental impact in the GTHA and across the country.

This report is the outcome of this process and provides a set of recommendations to help guide sound infrastructure investment decisions.

The federal government has received the report and Civic Action has publicly asked them to use these multi-sector informed recommendations to help ensure its long-term investment decisions provide Canadians with a strong foundation for national economic growth and residents’ health and well-being.

To date, the recommendations outlined have been amplified through today’s Toronto Star article; an OpEd co-authored by CivicAction and the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce in the Hamilton Spectator; and a Metro Morning interview.

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The report Ensuring we Get it Right is the outcome of this process, and provides a set of recommendations to help guide sound infrastructure investment decisions:

1. To be globally competitive, we must be globally connected: the GTHA can be globally competitive if we can strengthen our trade-enabling infrastructure, ease congestion, and increase international investment in local enterprise.
2. Build the skills to build the assets: investing in the skills to drive Canada’s current and future infrastructure priorities will leave a dual legacy for our communities.
3. It takes a village: community partners have diverse expertise and valuable resources to offer and can accelerate innovation and inclusion for quick wins and sustainable solutions
4. The need for speed: we need to be more efficient in order to take advantage of current market conditions and more focused on minimizing disruption from changing political priorities.
5. The future begins right now: investments in resilient infrastructure will allow our communities the flexibility to adapt and scale to shifting needs over time.

In the interest of unlocking the untapped potential of future investments, consultation participants also reinforced some foundational concepts to guide investment decisions:

1. Inclusiveness must be woven throughout the infrastructure investment process.
2. The federal government needs to empower local leadership and autonomous decision-making.
3. All investments should drive economic growth and improve quality of life.

CLICK HERE to read the full report.

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For more information, please contact: Huzaifa Saeed | Policy & Research Analyst | Hamilton Chamber of Commerce | t: 905-522-1151 ext: 230 | e: h.saeed@hamiltonchamber.ca

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For Civic Action, please contact: Leslie Domenico, Senior Program Manager | CivicAction | 110 Yonge Street, Suite 1800, Toronto, ON, M5C 1T4 | T: (416) 309-4480 x506

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