Public infrastructure assets older in six provinces

Public infrastructure across cities and provinces has many characteristics in common, such as divided highways, paved roads and water supply systems. But the infrastructure differs somewhat on a regional basis, for example, in design, construction materials and usage, depending on the local geography, climate conditions, population density and economic activity.10

In 2007, the average age of public infrastructure exceeded the national average of 16.3 years in six provinces: the Atlantic Provinces with the exception of Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. In the case of Prince Edward Island, the average age was a young 15.5 years, thanks to the construction of the Confederation Bridge.

Overall, the youngest average ages of the five selected public infrastructure assets were found in Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Alberta. The average age in British Columbia was equal to the national average.

Chart 2 Public infrastructure assets older in six provinces

Source: Statistics Canada, special tabulation, Investment and Capital Stock Division.

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10.  Differences in average age between provinces can also be attributable to the varying mix of assets in each province. For example, a province with relatively more bridges will tend to have a higher average age because bridges last longer than other assets. When adjusting for this factor, no significant difference in the ranking showed in Chart 2 is found, except for Manitoba which would rank fourth oldest after Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and Quebec. Alberta and Prince Edward Island would also flip their relative position.