Canada's cities and smaller communities are facing a looming crisis in deferred maintenance and construction of critical infrastructure, both physical and social.

The lack of this critical urban infrastructure – from roads and water systems to transit, parks, and public housing – weakens Canada's global competitiveness. And it doesn't just undermine the potential for place-based prosperity, but also weakens civic infrastructure. Faltering community support systems have led to a mental health and drug addiction crisis and a decline in civic engagement, undermining the culture of collective care and connection that used to define Canada. The chapters in this report, commissioned from experts and researchers across Canada, tackle these issues and explore ways forward.