Government must re-think infrastructure investment: NDP

MONTREAL – New Democrats point to Montreal’s crumbling Champlain Bridge as a prime example of why the federal government needs to re-think its stance on infrastructure investment.

“Building sustainable infrastructure shouldn’t be seen as simply spending,” said NDP Deputy Critic for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Critic Jamie Nicholls (Vaudreuil–Soulanges). “Beyond addressing pressing safety concerns, upgrading our infrastructure system creates jobs and boosts business by opening up the flow of people and goods.”

Nicholls spoke at a Montreal conference today and was joined by McGill University engineering professor emeritus Saeed Mirza and NDP MP Hoang Mai (Brossard–La Prairie).

“We need to change the present philosophy of design, build and, unfortunately, forget,” said McGill University professor emeritus Saeed Mirza.

“We must design and build our entire infrastructure based on long-term performance criteria throughout the life of the structure, reflecting all lifecycle costs. This includes environmental, economic and social costs as much as it does the cost of maintenance, restoration or partial replacement as needed.”

Not only does infrastructure investment make sense from an economic standpoint, it provides an excellent opportunity to expand public transit options as part of a sustainable development strategy. For example, Mai says a new Champlain Bridge would cut down on traffic congestion and provide more options for commuting Montrealers.

“A new Champlain Bridge provides us with the opportunity to develop a lasting inter-city transportation system for the 21st century, including a light-rail system that would represent an excellent addition to current transit options,” said Mai.

“It’s time to work together, with all levels of government, to quickly invest in critical infrastructure in order to strengthen economic activity and productivity in a number of industries in the greater Montreal area,” said Nicholls. “It will have a positive and direct impact on Quebec’s and Canada’s economies.”