Canadians Ready for Water Infrastructure Investment, and Natural Infrastructure Has a Key Role
New national polling by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and Nanos Research shows Canadians are increasingly experiencing water-related challenges and strongly support investment in water infrastructure, including natural infrastructure solutions. The report explores public attitudes toward natural infrastructure, regional differences in water issues, and priorities for future infrastructure investment across Canada.
Key Messages
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An IISD-commissioned national poll shows that 72.5% of Canadians believe improving water infrastructure is an urgent priority, signalling broad public support for governments to invest in stronger, more resilient water infrastructure.
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Nearly two thirds (63.8%) of Canadians have experienced water-related issues in the past 5 years, with more than half believing these problems are becoming more frequent.
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Over 70% of Canadians view natural infrastructure as an urgent priority once they understand how it helps protect communities from floods, droughts, and other water-related risks.
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The polling highlights important regional differences and shows Indigenous respondents continue to disproportionately experience greater water infrastructure challenges, helping inform more targeted and effective infrastructure investments across Canada.
Canadians are increasingly experiencing the impacts of flooding, drought, aging infrastructure, and other water-related challenges, and they want governments to act.
This report presents the findings of a national poll commissioned by IISD and conducted by Nanos Research to better understand Canadians' experiences with water-related issues, their views on water infrastructure, and their support for natural infrastructure solutions.
The findings reveal strong public support for investing in water infrastructure, with nearly three quarters of Canadians viewing it as an urgent priority. While awareness of the term natural infrastructure remains relatively low, support for these solutions is high once respondents understand their role in reducing flood and drought risks while delivering additional environmental and community benefits.
The polling also highlights important regional differences in water-related experiences and shows that Indigenous respondents continue to disproportionately experience greater water infrastructure challenges. Together, these findings provide valuable evidence to help governments, practitioners, and decision-makers better target future water infrastructure investments across Canada.
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