Auditors find military bases falling apart due to lack of funding
OTTAWA — A National Defence audit has found many of Canada’s military bases are falling apart because of chronic underspending on the maintenance, repair and replacement of sewers, roads and electrical, heating and drinking water systems.
The problem is exacerbated by the fact military officials have little to no information on the actual state of those municipal works, meaning the department doesn’t know how what needs to be fixed or replaced.
The audit, recently published on the department’s website, concludes that the risk of electrical outages, sewer backups and other service disruptions at military bases is set to increase. Such disruptions threaten operations as well as the health and welfare of those living or working on or near the bases.
National Defence spokeswoman Ashley Lemire said the department is changing the way it manages its vast property portfolio. That includes taking authority away from the individual bases and centralizing it in Ottawa.