Work together on infrastructure

The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) recently voiced concerns regarding proposed changes to the Canada Community Building Fund (CCBF).

The Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association joins SUMA in its concern.

The CCBF is used for infrastructure projects such as roads, transportation, wastewater and sewer, fire services and tourism and culture. The federal government is looking at adding affordable housing to the mix.

If new rules are implemented by including affordable housing over investment in infrastructure, municipalities will not be able to build critical projects. The federal government will be dictating to municipalities what they can and cannot build.

Building infrastructure such as servicing lots for housing projects comes before building units. This clearly is a case of putting the horse before the cart. This potential action comes on the heels of Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault stating that new road building infrastructure projects would no longer be funded and funding would be put toward maintenance of existing roads. He later indicated he was referring to large infrastructure projects.

The approach to addressing our infrastructure needs is best resolved through collaboration and not arbitrary decisions. Every community has different priorities for infrastructure and those decisions are best done when communities are part of the process.

Shantel Lipp, Regina

Lipp is president of the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association.

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