The state of Ottawa's assets: What's good, what's bad, and what needs replacing
CTV
A report for the the City of Ottawa's Finance and Corporate Services Committee says planned investments in city infrastructure and assets will not be enough to maintain current service levels 10 years from now.
A report for the the City of Ottawa's Finance and Corporate Services Committee says planned investments in city infrastructure and assets will not be enough to maintain current service levels 10 years from now.
The 2024 asset management plans (AMPs) look at several departments, from community and social services to transit, outlining the items that need work or replacement.
"Overall, the combined 2024 AMPs detail City-owned assets to be in good to fair condition across the eight service areas, including assets like facilities, rinks, parks, fleets, IT, assets supporting transit, specialty equipment and more. The City of Ottawa's asset management planning ensures all assets are maintained safely," a report prepared for the committee says.
City staff say the City of Ottawa owns, operates, and maintains assets with a current replacement value of approximately $73 billion. The estimated cost to maintain all infrastructure at current level of service is more than $16.5 billion, but the planned investments into these assets over the next 10 years fall about $3 billion short.
"Ottawa's aging infrastructure requires ongoing investment for maintenance and renewal to meet community needs and safety standards," the committee report says. "Financial pressures are also driven by new regulatory and policy demands, modern accessibility standards, and climate change impacts, all contributing to an increase in forecasted costs for asset renewal, enhancement, and growth."
While most assets are considered to be in good to fair condition, some notable ones are in very poor condition.
According to city documents, 23 per cent of aquatic facilities and 39 per cent of outdoor assets in Ottawa are considered to be in very poor condition, defined as being near or beyond expected service life, with widespread signs of advanced deterioration. The cost to cover growth, enhancement and renewal for all cultural and recreational assets in Ottawa over the next 10 years is estimated at $1.8 billion, more than double what the city plans to invest over the next decade.
With the number of homeless people in Saskatoon at an unprecedented high, it’s no surprise people are looking for places to warm up.
The next chapter of the Lemay Forest saga has unfolded as the sounds of trees coming down could be heard Monday.
The stormy weather in the forecast for B.C.'s South Coast is already disrupting many Christmas Day travel plans.
A break in, theft, and continued property damage has led to the boarding up of the Palace Theatre over the Christmas holidays.
Police in Nova Scotia are investigating after two deaths in Truro, N.S., over the weekend have been ruled homicides.
Calgary police shut down Glenmore Trail overnight following a crash between a car and a crane truck.
Ontario's Human Rights Tribunal has awarded members of an Indigenous family in North Bay $15,000 each after it ruled they were victims of discrimination.
A heavy snowfall has guaranteed much of Quebec a white Christmas, but it has also sent cars skidding off the province's roads during the busy holiday travel period.
For many of the women attending My Sister’s Place (MSP) in London, Ont. the holidays are a difficult time.
RCMP in New Brunswick are investigating after a business in Janeville was broken into and a number of items were stolen.
Canada appears to be barrelling toward a spring election now that the NDP is vowing to vote down the government early next year -- whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stays on or not.