Government plans a “once‑in‑a‑generation” overhaul of England’s water sector, proposing a new regulator with an in‑house chief engineer to tighten technical scrutiny of ageing treatment works, trunk mains and sewer networks. The reforms aim for earlier intervention on failing assets, with stronger powers to act before service reservoirs, pumping stations or CSO outfalls reach critical condition. Measures will target reduced pollution incidents and lower household bills, signalling tougher performance requirements for leakage control, storm overflow management and long‑term asset resilience.

Condition monitoring surveys will become compulsory across England’s water networks under a new Defra white paper, with a single regulator empowered to mandate regular “MOT‑style” health checks on pipes, pumps and other critical assets. For the first time in around 20 years a chief engineer will sit within the regulator, tasked with restoring hands-on inspection of buried mains and treatment infrastructure previously overseen by Ofwat. A transition plan due in 2026 and a subsequent water reform bill will define implementation, signalling more preventative maintenance, structured asset condition data and tighter performance scrutiny for operators and contractors.

The Canadian Infrastructure Bank is shifting its C$18 billion mandate towards critical minerals, starting with a C$55 million bridge loan and a potential C$500 million follow-on facility for Torngat Metals’ C$2 billion Strange Lake rare earths project in remote Nunavik, Quebec. The bank plans to co-invest in transport and power infrastructure and may use contracts for difference and offtake-backed structures to de-risk revenue for feasibility-stage projects across Canada’s 34 listed critical minerals. Memoranda of understanding in Manitoba, British Columbia’s Golden Triangle and Saguenay target integrated road, rail, port and industrial hub planning with Indigenous and provincial partners.