Well-planned infrastructure investment helps build strong communities, creates jobs and opportunities for the middle class, and supports a high standard of living for Canadians and their families. Good data allows governments to maximize the benefits of the infrastructure investments they are making through informed decisions.
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, has welcomed the launch of Infrastructure Statistics Hub, an interactive tool that allows users to view data on the investment, stock and contribution of infrastructure to the Canadian economy from the recently launched Infrastructure Economic Account (INFEA).
INFEA was developed by Statistics Canada and launched in September 2018 as part of a commitment made in Budget 2017 to support a more evidence and results-based approach to public infrastructure policies, programs and investment decisions.
For the first time, data users will be able to understand the data linkages between infrastructure investment, value added, number of jobs and other variables for both the public and private sectors. Information for the period 2009 to 2017 can be viewed on a map, table and graph and is presented for three main subject areas: investment, stock and economic contribution.
“The Government is committed to an evidence-based approach to decision-making and new approaches to measure the impact of infrastructure investment. Through the Infrastructure Statistics Hub and other data and research initiatives, we will help all orders of government and the private sector in making effective and more strategic investment decisions. Smart investments in infrastructure will deliver better results for our communities, help grow the middle class and provide our small and medium businesses with new opportunities for growth and prosperity today and into the future,” Champagne said.
Statistics Canada plans to add new data and content to INFEA to measure the investment, stock and economic contribution of infrastructure over time. These future iterations will also help monitor and assess investments made under the Investing in Canada long-term infrastructure plan.
Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes and Canada’s rural and northern communities. 