Keep infrastructure funds flowing, big-city mayors tell Ottawa

Canada's big city mayors, such as Toronto's David Miller and Calgary's Dave Bronconnier, are urging the federal government to keep billions of dollars in infrastructure money flowing as the country enters a new era of restraint.

They want Ottawa to extend the $4-billion federal infrastructure stimulus fund for at least six months past the current March, 2011, deadline =E2=80=94 and consider more funding even as it looks to save money elsewhere.

Busted watermain leaves 19,000 cold, wet and dark

It took nearly eight hours for Toronto Hydro and city crews to restore power to the downtown core after an outage that affected 19,000 customers.

By midafternoon, most businesses had called it a day and the trendy neighbourhood was cast in darkness. One hotel was able to offer customers "sandwiches or a light meal," but was otherwise forced to send customers to the competition.

This image from the CN Tower shows a large section of the downtown core in the dark (photo courtesy CP24).

U.S. Taxpayers Union: Save millions with more competition, better materials

As the infrastructure that delivers water to your home begins to deteriorate, governments at all levels need to take steps to ensure they=E2=80=99re not flushing taxpayer dollars down the drain when replacing the pipes, according to an issue brief published by the National Taxpayers Union (NTU).

The complete report is available for download.

Looking for a Canadian resource to help improve your municipal contracting?

The old delusion of protectionism

Editors note: This is a fantastic editorial, which originally appeared in the Boston Globe:

"In addition to boycotting goods and services made in other countries, let=E2=80=99s avoid spending money on products from other states. Those of us who live in Massachusetts should refuse to buy dryer sheets from California, Ohio lightbulbs, and hoses made in California.

Crazy? Of course. Refusing to trade across state lines wouldn=E2=80=99t make us economically stronger. It would make us weaker, condemning us to higher prices, less variety, reduced purchasing power, and inferior quality.

Comments, questions or concerns?

Let's chat. I can be reached at:

Veso Sobot, P. Eng.
Ipex Management Inc
(905) 795-6113
vessob@ipexna.com