The Cement Association of Canada (CAC) has commended the Government of Canada and Denis Lebel, the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, for delivering on the government’s commitment to support local infrastructure priorities with the renewed gas tax fund.
The CAC applauded the fund’s focus on key public infrastructure projects, which will contribute to social and economic growth across Canada. The Association also welcomed the ten year renewal of the fund, which provides municipalities with the long term planning horizon needed for effective decision making on their infrastructure investments. However, the CAC is also urging all levels of government to incorporate the use of full life cycle cost analysis in their procurement decisions for infrastructure projects to ensure these investments deliver the best possible social, financial and environmental outcomes for Canadian taxpayers.
“We appreciate that governments face a variety of pressures that have often led to decisions being based on securing the lowest initial costs possible, even though these decisions typically result in higher long term costs”, said Michael McSweeney, President and CEO of the CAC. “But as infrastructure projects are for the long term, it’s crucial that all levels of government focus on life cycle assessment to ensure maximum value for Canadians not only today but also tomorrow. Building infrastructure projects with durability, longevity, resilience and life cycle cost in mind makes economic and common sense.”
Adapted from press release by Rosalie Starling