Calgary’s most recent Bearspaw South feeder main break is another reminder of how vulnerable critical infrastructure becomes when long-term investment is deferred. Thousands of residents have already been affected, water restrictions are imposed and, once again, the city has been forced into emergency response mode rather than planned renewal.

Instead of bringing the temperature down in the city, Mayor Jeromy Farkas has made broad claims that this time, someone will be held accountable — heads will roll. Farkas isn’t alone; many in Calgary are tempted to search for a simple explanation.

Some have fallen back to blaming anyone, such as former mayors Naheed Nenshi and Jyoti Gondek, city administration and, of course, the Housing Strategy.

The truth is that the water main break is nothing more than what happens when the costs and pressures of preventive care are pushed to the side for short-term gains, such as an $8-a-month tax break waved as a beacon of “affordability.”

Just like our government’s approach to housing, transit, the mental health and addictions crises........

© Edmonton Sun