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region’s infrastructure systems should be top priorities for policymakers and stakeholders. Failure to address the challenges that confront basic services in Canada and the U.S. threatens the future quality of life in communities and the economic competitiveness of the region. Policymakers in both nations are increasingly moving in positive directions, particularly as local, regional and national economies emerge from the recent economic downturn. How-
ever, significantly more action is needed in order to maintain and strengthen the region’s “backbone” of economic growth and prosperity. The overarching recommendation that emerges from the analysis of the region is that each country should move to develop and implement a national infrastructure plan that defines the roles, responsibilities, and financing mechanisms for the various levels of government and other key stakeholders.
91-100% Proportion of the population using improved sources of drinking-water in 2011
Source: Progress on Sanitation on Drinking-Water. 2013 Update. World Health Organization - Unicef.