Spring Category Spotlight – Capacity Building, Climate Resilience, and Bridges

Spring has sprung in Ontario, which means it’s a great time to highlight new beginnings.

In the spirit of new growth, this category spotlight focuses on CCBF projects that increase capacity, develop resilience to climate change, and build bridges. 

The Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF) is a critical source of funding for Ontario’s municipalities to build strong, sustainable, and vibrant communities. 

Capacity Building

Ontario’s municipalities own more than $500 billion in infrastructure such as bridges, sewers, parks, and more. They invest around $10 billion each year into renewal or expansion of their infrastructure networks. 

Many communities invest CCBF funding into assessing opportunities and risks for their infrastructure, which involves gathering accurate and up-to-date information about current conditions and long-term outlooks. 

Municipalities completed 83 studies and assessments with help from the CCBF between 2014 and 2023 – providing updated data for more than 1,000 assets. They also invested in 51 data management software systems, 24 energy audits, and 47 long-term strategic infrastructure plans.

Some recent projects include Seguin’s Housing Needs Assessment and Evanturel’s Asset Management Plan.
 

Climate Resilience

Natural disasters are becoming more frequent – and more expensive. Between 2014 and 2023, disasters cost Canadians more than $25 billion in insurable losses – not including the disruption of supply chains, services, and Ontarians’ daily lives. 

Within the last 10 years, more than twenty municipalities used the CCBF to help reduce risks for residents and local businesses by building or improving 29 erosion-mitigating assets and 7 flood-mitigating assets. Some recent projects include West Grey’s Creek Rehabilitation and Port Hope’s Shoreline Protection.

More investment is needed though. Canada’s municipalities require roughly $5 billion annually over the next 50 years to adapt to the growing demands created by climate change. Without it, Ontario’s wastewater infrastructure cost alone is expected to rise 27 per cent by 2030.
 

Bridges and Culverts

Thousands of kilometres of rivers, streams, and creeks stretch across Ontario’s landscape. These are essential to the prosperity of the province and its diverse ecosystems, but they also require municipalities to construct and maintain an extraordinary number of bridges and culverts that residents and businesses use every day.

Municipalities own an estimated 23,000 bridges, culverts, and tunnels. The majority of these are in good condition – thanks, in part, to regular inspections and good asset management. An estimated $4.3 billion is required to bring the remainder into a state of good repair. 

Between 2014 and 2023, municipalities invested the CCBF to renew 1,514 bridges and culverts – cutting commutes, eliminating load restrictions, improving pedestrian safety, and preparing for new housing developments.

Some recent projects include Bluewater’s Bridge Replacement and Huron-Kinloss’ Multiple Bridge Rehabilitation.