On Dec, 3, 2024, Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, announced the new Canadian Infrastructure Council, an expert advisory body that will deliver the country’s first-ever National Infrastructure Assessment (NIA).
The NIA will support Canada’s long-term infrastructure planning and decision-making by compiling data and evidence, and conducting the research and analysis needed to make informed investments that will serve Canadians well into the future.
The focus will be on the core infrastructure communities need in place to support housing development over the long term – including water and wastewater, public transit, active transportation and waste management – as well as the impact of population growth and climate change on them. The first NIA will be a critical piece in ensuring we can build the infrastructure needed to alleviate housing pressures and support the continued growth of sustainable, resilient and inclusive communities.
In support of this work, the Canadian Infrastructure Council – composed of 11 experts in relevant infrastructure sectors across the country – will engage key partners and stakeholders from industry, provincial, territorial, municipal, and Indigenous governments to seek their knowledge and expertise, and ensure that the NIA is useful for communities across Canada.