Infrastructure needs in Canada: facing extreme weather and filling in the gaps

What is the role of roads and railway infrastructure in Canada’s supply chain? What kind of federal government support is needed to ensure resilient infrastructure for road and rail transportation? An efficient and reliable transportation network inclusive of trade corridors is key to Canada’s economic growth, and serves as the backbone of our supply chain network. Canada owns one of the largest rail networks in the world with over 49,000 route-kilometres of track. As a primary mode of freight transportation, the railway system plays an important role in the Canadian business sector and supply chain. Although over the last decades, the federal government has invested over $3.7-billion towards more than 120 projects to date to ease bottlenecks in our supply chain, climate change risks to roads and railway infrastructures have rarely been accounted for in their decision-making. Growing climate risks will impact the entire transport value chain, from its location, design, and construction standards to the services it provides. The federal government should invest in climate resilient infrastructure solutions which include investments in roads and railway infrastructure, new technologies, and community-based adaptation, all designed to ensure that the transport system is robust, redundant, and resilient. Three major areas where federal government initiatives are required to address climate change risks in the supply chain are: federal assets and operations, capacity building, and coordination and collaboration. What is the infrastructure gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in Canada? How can that gap be closed? From our ongoing research from various Indigenous communities in Western Canada, we learned several major infrastructure gaps persist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in Western Canada, particularly concerning essential services like access to clean drinking water, transportation, healthcare, food security, and internet connectivity. In terms of infrastructure, Indigenous communities often face inadequate road and transportation networks, limited access to reliable electricity and network communications services, and insufficient housing. As many Indigenous community members explained to us, they have been facing a lack of access to safe, clean drinking water which poses significant health risks and undermines overall well-being. Disparities in healthcare infrastructure and services, such as healthcare facilities and medical professionals, contribute to poorer health outcomes for Indigenous populations compared to non-Indigenous communities. Closing the infrastructure gap in Indigenous communities requires a multifaceted approach that addresses systemic inequalities, and prioritizes community-led solutions. As we learned about many aspects of infrastructure gaps, some of the perspectives that were most significant include: Meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities is essential to understanding their specific infrastructure needs and priorities. This involves recognizing Indigenous land rights and sovereignty, and collaborating with communities to develop culturally appropriate and sustainable infrastructure projects. There needs to be increased investment in infrastructure development and maintenance in Indigenous communities, including funding for constructing and upgrading roads, bridges, water treatment facilities, healthcare centers, and broadband networks. Indigenous self-governance initiatives need to be implemented for self-determination so Indigenous communities to take ownership of infrastructure projects, including training and employment opportunities for community members. There must be greater coordination and collaboration between governments, Indigenous organizations, industry stakeholders, and non-profit groups to ensure that infrastructure investments are effectively targeted and implemented to address the unique needs of Indigenous communities in Western Canada. With prioritizing Indigenous voices, Treaty rights, and self-determination, the infrastructure gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities can be gradually closed, leading to more equitable and prosperous outcomes for all Canadians. What infrastructure challenges face Canada’s airports and ocean ports? What can the federal government do to support these sectors? The increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events have already caused significant damages or disruptions to infrastructure, such as ports and airports. Transport Canada identified two northern airports experiencing permafrost thaw, and nine ports that are highly sensitive to sea-level rise. Record-breaking high water levels in Lake Ontario in 2017 had a number of negative effects on Ports Toronto's operations and assets, including localized flooding at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Ports across Canada face the risk of high-tide flooding and storm surges, and some face long-term irreversible inundation due to sea-level rise. The extent of precipitation and risk of flooding, the highest and lowest annual temperatures, the fluctuation of freeze-thaw cycles, and the variation of permafrost are all posing serious risks to Canadian airports. Permafrost degradation resulted in degradation at Iqaluit International Airport and the resulting runway damage affected airport operations with socio-economic implications. The time is now for Canada to look at ports and airports not only as a key sector for managing enable Canada’s trade, but also as a critical line of defence for protecting Canadians against extreme weather. The federal government should support development of climate-secure port and airport design and maintenance codes, and facilitate code implementation by provinces and communities to help make adaptation a priority. Dr. Muntasir Billah, PEng, is an assistant professor in the department of civil engineering at the University of Calgary, and is a former an assistant professor in the department of civil engineering at Lakehead University. Ranjan Datta, PhD, is Canada Research Chair in Community Disaster Research at the department of humanities, Mount Royal University, Calgary. Datta is a senior scientist for the International Science Council and the United Nations Environment Program, and a senior research fellow at the Earth System Governance Research Fellow Network at Utrecht University, the Netherlands. The Hill Times

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Three major areas where government initiatives are needed to address climate change risks in supply chain are federal assets and operations, capacity building, and coordination and collaboration.

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Infrastructure needs in Canada: facing extreme weather and filling in the gaps

Three major areas where government initiatives are needed to address climate change risks in supply chain are federal assets and operations, capacity building, and coordination and collaboration.

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