Nine groups launch coalition to push Canada’s infrastructure agenda

Nine national organizations have formed the Canadian Infrastructure Report Card Coalition to press for more infrastructure funding, better data and stronger asset management ahead of the next federal budget. The coalition says 11% of core public infrastructure is in poor or very poor condition, with about $237 billion in repair backlog.

Why it matters: - Canada’s local infrastructure underpins housing, trade, defense and day-to-day community services. - The coalition says 11% of core public infrastructure is in poor or very poor condition. - That condition translates to about $237 billion in backlog repair costs. - The coalition is pushing for a stronger federal approach before the next budget.

What happened: - Nine national organizations launched the Canadian Infrastructure Report Card (CIRC) Coalition in Ottawa on Aug. 26, 2026. - The coalition brings together local governments, engineers, builders, transit systems, asset managers, parks and recreation leaders, public works professionals and the municipal water sector. - Coalition members are the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Association of Consulting Engineering Companies, Canadian Construction Association, Canada Urban Transit Association, Canadian Network of Asset Managers, Canadian Parks and Recreation Association, Canadian Public Works Association, Canadian Society for Civil Engineering and Canadian Water and Wastewater Association. - The coalition says its members plan and spend billions of dollars on infrastructure investments each year.

The details: - The coalition produces the Canadian Infrastructure Report Card, which it describes as Canada’s leading assessment of local infrastructure condition. - The report card uses data from Statistics Canada’s Core Public Infrastructure Survey. - The upcoming edition is expected in early 2027. - The next edition will be the first Canadian Infrastructure Report Card released since 2019. - The coalition says the new report will provide a renewed national picture of local infrastructure conditions. - The coalition is asking the next federal budget to increase long-term, predictable infrastructure funding. - The coalition is also urging the federal government to address workforce shortages and create employment pathways for youth and post-secondary education. - The coalition wants continued support for infrastructure assessment work led by the Canadian Infrastructure Council. - The coalition is calling for more municipal capacity development in asset management planning, especially in small and rural communities.

Between the lines: - The launch signals a coordinated effort by major infrastructure stakeholders to shape federal spending and planning priorities. - The coalition is framing infrastructure not just as a repair issue, but as an economic competitiveness and housing issue. - The report card’s return after a seven-year gap suggests demand for updated national data to guide funding decisions. - Several member groups point to aging assets, workforce capacity and limited municipal resources as core constraints.

What’s next: - The coalition will use the upcoming federal budget as its first major policy target. - The 2027 report card is expected to give governments a new benchmark for infrastructure condition across Canada. - The coalition aims to support a longer-term strategy for infrastructure planning, funding and asset management. - Municipalities and other infrastructure owners may use the next report card to prioritize repairs and investment decisions.

The bottom line: - Canada’s infrastructure sector is organizing around a simple message: better data, steadier funding and stronger capacity are needed to close a costly national repair gap.

More information: the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering’s announcement