Statistics Canada Releases 2020 Infrastructure Survey

To live more sustainably, Canadians rely on access to proper waste infrastructures, such as recycling and composting facilities, and clearly defined asset management strategies.

The Core Public Infrastructure Survey which monitors the state of the country’s solid waste facilities was released by Statistics Canada in October. Conducted in partnership with Infrastructure Canada, the data cover topics such as the stock, condition, and performance of core public infrastructure, as well as asset management practices of owners.

Results from the survey indicate improvement in the closure or renewal of ageing facilities.  In 2020, 48 per cent of active waste disposal facilities (including active landfills and dump sites, incinerators, and facilities that generate energy from waste) were built prior to 2000 compared with 71 per cent in 2016.

More than half of municipalities factored climate change adaptation into their decision-making process for stormwater infrastructure, while just over one-quarter factored climate change adaptation into their decision-making process for solid waste infrastructure. Interestingly, more urban municipalities factor climate change adaptation in decision-making than rural municipalities in Canada.

The survey results cover nine asset types (public transit; roads; bridges and tunnels; potable water; stormwater; wastewater; solid waste; culture, recreation and sports facilities; and public social and affordable housing).

Data are based on responses from approximately 2,260 government organizations including provincial and territorial departments and agencies, regional governments, urban and rural municipalities and selected provincial Crown corporations, and public transit authorities.

For more information on the survey, visit Statistics Canada.