Canadian municipalities face a cumulative infrastructure deficit for existing and new infrastructure in the order of $230 billion dollars. Existing practices and revenues streams available to municipalities are inadequate to the task. An impressive panel has been assembled to cover key topic areas: "The community Benefits of sustained investment in infrastructure" - Peter Norman, Altus Group

Peter is an industry-recognized urban economist and forecaster specializing in economic and demographic analysis and forecasting services. Before joining Altus in 1998, Peter gained experience in strategic business planning and economic forecasting at Bank of Montreal's economics department. "More of the same won't cut it" - Gordon Hume, President, Hume Communications Inc.,

Gordon is recognized as one of Canada's leading voices on municipal government, cultural planning, and creative cities. He is a popular public speaker, an advisor to municipal governments and a respected author.

"Fine … you want more - A Municipal Perspective" - Phil Sheegl, CAO City of Winnipeg

Phil previously worked in the private sector in Canada and United States in development and pharmaceuticals. He first started work with the City of Winnipeg in April 2008 as director of planning, property and development. He was appointed CAO in 2011.

"Sustained funding considerations - an industry perspective" - Michael Atkinson

Michael has been President of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) since March of 1993. He is a member of the Construction Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association, the Industrial Security Advisory Board, the Joint Federal Government-Industry Real Property Advisory Council, and the Canadian Society of Association Executives.

The Western Canada Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association (WCR&HCA) held its 2011 annual Infrastructure Forum at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, South Laguna Beach, California, during the 2011 WCR&HCA Conference. View the full 2011 program.

The WCR&HCA Infrastructure Forum held presentations and sessions on topics of national, regional and international significance. The WCR&HCA Infrastructure Forum '11 featured the following:

National Perspective and Overview Presentations

• Presented by the Canadian Construction Association (CCA).
• Dee Miller, Chair of the CCA provided an overview of the CCA's activities, challenges and priorities.

"Financing, Funding and Delivery of Urban Infrastructure' - Dr. Roger Gibbins, President & CEO, Canada West Foundation (CWF)

Prior to assuming the leadership of the CWF in 1998, Roger was a professor of political science at the University of Calgary, where he started his academic career in 1973 and served as department head from 1987 to 1996. Roger has authored, co-authored or edited 22 books and more than 140 articles and book chapters, most dealing with western Canadian themes and issues.

'Roles, responsibilities of Government in funding municipal infrastructure' - Dr. Enid Slack, University of Toronto Dr. Enid Slack is one of Canada's foremost experts in municipal finance having worked in this field for in excess of 25 years. She is nationally and internationally respected for her research in these and related areas of municipal finance.

'Funding Municipalities - municipal perspectives' - Michael Buda, Director of Policy and Research at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)

Mr. Buda joined FCM 6 years ago as the New Deal for Cities and Communities was launched in Budget 2005, after several years of dialogue and debate over the role municipalities play in meeting national priorities. He has worked since then at making the cities and communities agenda real and transformative for municipalities, other orders of government and citizens and businesses. Mike believes that working through and with FCM's vast network of almost 2000 member municipalities and stakeholders, is the best way to achieve our collective interest in strengthening local government.

'Sustained funding considerations - an industry perspective' - Michael Atkinson, President of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA)

Michael Atkinson has been President of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) since March of 1993. He is a member of the Construction Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association, the Law Society of Upper Canada, the International Builders' Exchange Executives, the Industrial Security Advisory Board, the Joint Federal Government-Industry Real Property Advisory Council, and the Canadian Society of Association Executives.

WCR&HCA and Provincial Reports

The WCR&HCA speaks to national policy, and its four roadbuilder & heavy construction association members addressed provincial and industry relevant areas of interest. Learn more about western Canada from their individual reports on their respective activities

The Western Canada Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association (WCR&HCA) held its 2010 annual Infrastructure Forum at the Hyatt Regency, Gainey Ranch, Scottsdale, Arizona during the 2010 WCR&HCA Conference. View the full 2010 program.

The WCR&HCA Infrastructure Forum held presentations and sessions on topics of national, regional and international significance. The WCR&HCA Infrastructure Forum '10 featured the following:

• National Perspective and Overview presentations from the Canadian Construction Association (CCA). Brad Greene, P. Eng., P. G.S.C., Chair of the CCA provided an overview of the CCA's activities, challenges and priorities. View the presentation in Adobe PDF format.

• The National Gold Seal Program and the value it provides the construction industry was addressed by John Schubert, M.B.A., P. G.S.C., Chair of the National Gold Seal Committee.

• The changing face of Canada's infrastructure policy was the focus of the second half of the Forum. Moderated by Chris Lorenc, B.A., LL.B., President of the MHCA & WCR&HCA, the panel addressed the following topics:
  • "A general overview of the state of Canada’s Infrastructure" Bill Ferreira, CCA Director of Government Relations. View the presentation in Adobe PDF format.

  • "Infrastructure Investment: The Foundation of Canadian Competitiveness - an Economist’s Perspective" - Professor Emeritus James Brox, Department of Economics, Waterloo University. View the presentation in Adobe PDF format.

  • "Public Sector Decision Making" - Stephen Beatty, Managing Director Global Infrastructure & Projects Group, North America, KMPG. View the presentation in Adobe PDF format.

  • "Infrastructure Funding Options & Opportunities" - Diane Gray, President & CEO CentrePort Canada Inc. View the presentation in Adobe PDF format.

  • "Next Steps in Public Policy Development" - Michael Atkinson B.A., LL.B.,, President CCA. View the presentation in Adobe PDF format.