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MESSAGE
FROM ASSOCIATION OF CONSULTING ENGINEERING COMPANIES - CANADA (ACEC)
Building a Resilient Future: Infrastructure
Investment and Procurement Reform
I
NFRASTRUCTURE IS THE backbone of our society,
supporting economic growth, environmental
sustainability and social well-being. Despite its importance,
infrastructure is often overlooked — only discussed when
failures occur. Roads, bridges, power grids and water
systems are expected to function seamlessly, yet the
increasing frequency of extreme weather events in Canada
highlights the urgent need for proactive investment in
resilient infrastructure.
The Association of Consulting Engineering Companies
– Canada (ACEC) and its provincial member association,
Consulting Engineers of Alberta (CEA), are committed to
advocating for a future-oriented approach to infrastructure
investment. This vision emphasizes prevention, long-term
strategic planning and procurement reform to ensure
that Alberta and Canada’s infrastructure remains resilient,
adaptable and cost-effective.
INVESTING IN RESILIENCE BEFORE DISASTER STRIKES
Prevention is the most effective strategy for managing
infrastructure challenges. Designing infrastructure with
resilience in mind can mitigate the effects of extreme
weather, natural disasters and evolving societal needs.
Examples of proactive solutions include climate-resilient
stormwater systems, seismic retrofitting of critical
infrastructure and smart energy grids that can withstand
extreme conditions.
Technology also plays a crucial role in prevention.
Predictive analytics can help identify potential
vulnerabilities before they become failures, while digital
twins — virtual models of infrastructure assets — allow
engineers to simulate and optimize infrastructure
performance. Consulting engineers, including those within
Alberta, are at the forefront of these innovations, ensuring
that the province’s infrastructure is equipped to handle the
challenges of the future.
CREATING DATA-BASED POLICY
Strategic infrastructure planning must align with Canada’s
broader societal, economic and environmental goals. The
National Infrastructure Assessment (NIA) is a critical step
toward developing a long-term vision for the country’s
infrastructure needs. By prioritizing projects based on
their impact, the NIA provides a framework to guide
investment in essential infrastructure.
ACEC has long championed a centralized, evidence-
based approach to infrastructure planning. The
establishment of the Canadian Infrastructure Council (CIC)
is a significant milestone in this effort. The CIC brings
together stakeholders to advance data-driven infrastructure
strategies that promote economic growth, climate
adaptation and Indigenous reconciliation.
Alberta plays a key role in shaping infrastructure policy
and implementation. As a hub for resource development,
innovation and economic activity, Alberta’s economic
contributions and infrastructure requirements need to be part
of the national discussion.
PRIORITIZING VALUE OVER COST
For infrastructure investments to be truly effective,
procurement processes must prioritize long-term value over
short-term cost savings. Canada’s traditional price-based
procurement model often discourages innovation and leads
to infrastructure with higher maintenance costs, premature
failures and expensive retrofits.
A shift toward outcome-focused procurement is essential.
Qualification-Based Selection prioritizes expertise, experience
and innovation over simply choosing the lowest-cost bidder.
Progressive delivery models like Integrated Project Delivery
and Progressive Design-Build encourage collaboration, align
incentives and foster shared accountability among project
stakeholders. CEA has long been a leader in the national
discussion on procurement reform.
TIME FOR ACTION
As industry leaders, we can urge policymakers and the public
to recognize infrastructure as a strategic investment in
national and provincial prosperity. By prioritizing resilience,
long-term planning and procurement reform, we can ensure
that infrastructure continues to support our economy,
communities and environment for generations to come.
JOHN D. GAMBLE, CET, P.ENG.
PRESIDENT AND CEO
12 ALBERTA INNOVATORS