ACEC-SK supports stable infrastructure spending
Constant fluctuations in government financial resources have been both the root cause of infrastructure deterioration and lack of new infrastructure investment. What has been missing is a holistic governmental strategic infrastructure investment plan to facilitate targeted and cost effective infrastructure spending.
Jeff Halliday, P.Eng., the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies – Saskatchewan (ACEC-SK) Chair sees opportunities for strategic investment to maximize monies spent on provincial infrastructure.
“All levels of government, in partnership with knowledgeable stakeholders, can identify where infrastructure provides the greatest economic return, targets existing infrastructure shortfalls and where lack of investment is creating roadblocks to growth,” said Halliday. “The infrastructure gap could be minimized by stable infrastructure spending as opposed to the current funding volatility.”
Governments are the stewards of infrastructure maintenance, repair and renewal but when not deemed critical they often defer its care during times of fiscal restraint. They essentially “open and close the tap” of infrastructure spending in direct response to their own revenue fluctuations.
CMC-Saskatchewan research shows that Saskatchewan requires infrastructure investment over $50B between 2016 and 2025. Given competing interests for limited financial resources, how can the province meet that target?
ACEC-SK encourages government to “stay the course” of stable infrastructure spending despite fluctuations of provincial financial resources. It is the most strategic path to halting rapid infrastructure deterioration. It is also the most strategic way to harness infrastructure for economic growth.