Because they came into money AND had severe lack of modern infrustructures. Europe and N.America have been mostly replacing existing ones. Building new ones requires a lot more expenditures than just funding of replacements. So it is a false comparison.

However that does not negate that Canada should have invested in infrustructures for such as Ring of Fire years ago. More so if China can find the money for such huge investments then Canada even in a recession can not smaller ones?

In economic recessions it is imperative that investments that show a return and create employment, thus giving the economy a boost, should have priority.