Our Work

Scope of Canada's First National Infrastructure Assessment

The Canadian Infrastructure Council was mandated by the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities to focus the first National Infrastructure Assessment (NIA) on the core public infrastructure needed to build more housing – specifically:

1. water and wastewater;

2. public transit and active transportation (i.e. community mobility); 

3. waste management; and, 

4. the challenges these systems face due to population growth and climate change.

The focus of the first NIA responds to the housing shortages currently experienced across Canada. Insufficient and inadequate core public infrastructure, such as water/wastewater, community mobility, and waste management, is a barrier to increasing housing supply. These systems are fundamental to service new homes, accommodate growing populations, and ensure overall community well-being. 

Ongoing Engagement

Since its launch, the Council has been meeting with partners and stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of current needs and priorities, initiating a dialogue on the insights and evidence necessary to improve infrastructure planning, delivery, and innovation in core services across Canada.

Following this, the Council launched a Call for Input to gather solutions and best practices that are responsive to cross sectoral concerns and ideas to benefit all communities across Canada. The survey opened on March 11, 2025 and closed on April 14, 2025.