I have been arguing for several years that the traditional definition of the "Municipal Infrastructure Deficit" is limiting.

Infrastructure is too often considered to be only the hard services' provided by a municipality roads, sewers, water and so on. 

Those were the basic skeleton upon which we built communities decades ago. Today, however, we need to broaden and enlarge that definition to include everything from digital/fibre optic/broadband services to trees and libraries and the many other things that make up the unique quality of life that people today want and demand from civilized and liveable cities. 

Yesterday we built highways for vehicles; today, we build electronic highways for global connectivity.

North America needs to wake up and realize that Asia, Europe and other places around the world are investing billions in public infrastructure and in many cases leaving us behind. It is a disgrace that we don't have one mile of hi-speed rail on this continent, for example.

I recommend in my books and speeches that we need to update our definition of infrastructure investing and needs:

1. Horizontal: The hard services for which a municipality is traditionally responsible: roads, sewers, water pipes, bridges and so on.
2. Technology: No city can survive or attract investment and talent today without a reliable electricity grid, hi-speed broadband, digital and technology services, etc.
3. Creative: All the elements that combine to provide the quality of life that residents want from their community libraries, parks, trees, a vibrant downtown, affordable housing, local public transportation, etc.
4. MUSH sector: The investments that Municipalities, Universities/colleges, Schools, and Hospitals/health care must make to ensure local residents can receive the services, care and opportunities for a healthy, productive life.
5. Federal and provincial/territorial: The infrastructure obligations by the federal and provincial/territorial governments that directly impact local prosperity harbours, regional public transportation, border security, Trans-Canada highway, etc.

It is going to take billions and billions of dollars. Municipalities have no hope of paying for that on their own, or even for a substantial share. We will need more private sector involvement and participation. We need faster and more permissive provincial/territorial participation. And we need a federal government that will actually invest tens of billions in our cities and then get out of the way. 

Too often three-partner governmental projects get bogged down in bureaucracy and red-tape. Hold municipalities responsible and accountable that is fair ball. But they know better than anyone where the investments in their community are most needed. Let's stop this needless delay in approving projects and in getting the money flowing to our communities because of stupid political games.

Infrastructure is the biggest problem in Canadian municipal government today. Paying for it is the second biggest. Our nation needs to discontinue the traditional 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 capital cost sharing, and adopt the 40-40-20 formula.

The new and better answer to improving the infrastructure problem in Canada for our municipalities can only be found in greater innovation, PPPs, unique funding concepts and an irrevocable commitment by all orders of government.

Courage. Leadership. Commitment. Character.

Let's see who steps up.

GORD HUME