As housing demand surges, Canadians call for government and private sector collaboration
As Canada’s population soars and demand for housing hits record highs, Canadians are increasingly worried about the country’s infrastructure keeping up.
A new survey by Abacus Data indicates that most Canadians are sceptical of the government’s ability to handle these pressures alone. With many doubting that public funding can meet rising demands without tax increases, there is growing support for a collaborative approach between the government and private sector.
"Canadians clearly see trouble on the horizon for our country's infrastructure," said CCPPP president and CEO Lisa Mitchell. "Still suffering from the effects of inflation and its daily hits on their household budgets, they're also open to governments taking a more pragmatic approach to this challenge.”
The survey, conducted in late September, found that 63% of Canadians lack confidence that the government can build and maintain the new infrastructure needed for a booming population without hiking taxes.
Nearly half (47%) prefer a model where government and private companies share both the costs and risks, while just 24% support the government taking on the responsibility alone. Support for public-private partnerships (P3s) cuts across political lines, with backing from Liberal, Conservative, and NDP voters.
David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, noted the strain caused by rapid growth in cities and suburbs across Canada.
"A scarcity mindset is now common among most Canadians who are seeing the effect of rapid population growth without much improvement in the infrastructure and services they rely on," said Coletto, adding that the pressures to build new infrastructure are likely to shape Canadian politics and society over the next decade.
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P3s present an attractive solution for many Canadians, with 49% supporting their use to build, fund, and operate essential public infrastructure, such as roads, hospitals, and water systems. This number rises to 60% when P3s are framed as combining government and private resources to achieve critical goals.
Currently, only 31% of Canadians consider their community’s infrastructure to be in good or excellent condition. Concerns are particularly acute among older Canadians, women, rural residents, and Conservative and NDP voters, many of whom worry that taxes alone will not be enough to meet infrastructure needs.
With 88% foreseeing deteriorating infrastructure, and 92% anticipating that population growth will intensify demand, Canadians are increasingly looking for ways to fund essential upgrades and expansions without burdening public funds alone.
"That's why there is broad support across all regions, demographics and political parties for governments to partner with the private sector to help shoulder the load and share these financial costs and risks," Mitchell said in the report.
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