One of CSCE’s three Strategic Directions is Leadership in Sustainable Infrastructure. This page will provide members with information relating to what we mean by Sustainable Infrastructure as well as to how CSCE is demonstrating leadership to ensure that Canadians have the public infrastructure that will support our quality of life for the very long term.
Envision Canada: In November 2021, CSCE announced its partnership with the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) to expand the adoption of Envision in Canada and accelerate the shift toward the widespread development of sustainable civil infrastructure. Envision is a holistic sustainability framework and rating system that enables a thorough examination of the sustainability and resiliency of all types of infrastructure. It sets the standard for what constitutes sustainable infrastructure and incentivizes higher performance goals beyond minimum requirements. Under the direction of the CSCE Executive Director, CSCE appointed an Envision Canada Program Manager in the fall of 2022, who works with the CSCE-ISI Joint Taskforce on improving awareness and uptake, building capacity, and fostering innovation.
McMaster University Certificate: CSCE (Ontario Region), the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, and the W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology at McMaster University are collaborating on a Sustainable Infrastructure training initiative. The 3-day Sustainable Infrastructure: Design & Engineering course / program is designed for participants who hold a degree or diploma from a recognized university or college or a relevant certificate in infrastructure or sustainability. Students in their final year of post-secondary studies may also be accepted. This course focuses on all aspects of sustainability including best practices in materials, energy, water management, waste management, stakeholder engagement, and regenerative design.
Canadian Infrastructure Report Card: The Canadian Infrastructure Report Card (CIRC) assesses the condition of Canada’s municipally-owned infrastructure. In 2012 the CSCE joined with partners to release the first ever Infrastructure Report Card, with future editions released in 2016 and 2019. The most recent 2019 Canadian Infrastructure Report Card was a collective effort produced by: The Association of Consulting Engineering Companies Canada (ACEC), the Canadian Construction Association (CCA), the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA), the Canadian Public Works Association (CPWA), the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE), the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA), the Canadian Network of Asset Managers (CNAM), and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). The CIRC provides an update on the state of Canada’s public infrastructure across all core public infrastructure asset categories: roads and bridges; culture, recreation and sports facilities; potable water; wastewater; stormwater; public transit; and solid waste. The Report Card finds that the state of the Canadian infrastructure is at risk and will require significant attention in the coming decades.
Sustainable Development Committee (SDC): The technical Sustainable Development Committee provides leadership and expertise to the CSCE with respect to sustainable development and in particular with respect to sustainable engineering practice.
Policy on Sustainable Infrastructure: Civil engineers have a responsibility, as stewards of the built environment specific to civil infrastructure systems on which society relies, to ensure a sustainable future. It is incumbent on engineers to provide a holistic approach to the management of infrastructure throughout its full life cycle participating in multi-disciplinary teams of professionals, including ecologists, economists, and sociologists that effectively address the issues and challenges of sustainable development. In 2015, the CSCE Board of Directors approved a policy paper on sustainable infrastructure (Policy #2015-01). This foundation document is intended to guide and influence the development of future policy papers.
Award for Government Leadership in Sustainable Infrastructure: The award was initiated by the Local Organizing Committee for the 2012 CSCE Annual Conference, marking the 125th anniversary of CSCE and the Engineering Institute of Canada. The primary objective of this award is to provide recognition to Canadian governmental organizations for true innovation and leadership in the development and guardianship of sustainable civil engineering infrastructure projects or systems. All levels of government, including federal, provincial, and municipal (or combinations thereof), are eligible to receive the award; organizations at arm’s length from the government (such as crown corporations and universities) are not eligible. Electronic nomination packages may be submitted by any CSCE member, including a member of the team responsible for the project or program being nominated. Past recipients include:
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- 2022 Not Awarded
- 2019 Infrastructure Canada
- 2018 Not Awarded
- 2017 City of Vancouver
- 2016 City of Edmonton
- 2015 SaskPower
- 2014 Waterfront Toronto
- 2013 Ville de Quebec
- 2012 City of Edmonton