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01 September 2008

P3 could provide part of the solution to Canada's infrastructure deficit. Work is underway at the provincial, municipal and federal levels. By Morton Gross and Robert Shouldice, Borden Ladner Gervais.

Canada is emerging as one of the most attractive public infrastructure markets in the world. Major infrastructure projects currently underway include roads, bridges, transit lines, health care facilities, courthouses, detention centres, water and wastewater facilities and schools. Overall public support for the P3 model for providing public infrastructure is steadily growing, largely in recognition of the country's huge infrastructure deficit. Canadian governments at all levels are showing leadership in embracing alternative financing structures to address this deficit. At the same time, Canada's relatively young status in global P3 terms means this is an excellent time for experienced, capable players from other countries to consider the Canadian P3 market.

In late August 2008, the Institute for Research in Public Policy released a study which estimates Canada's current infrastructure gap to be C$200 billion ($188 billion), including C$72 billion for new projects and C$123 billion to repair and maintain existing infrastructure. By...


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