Ontario Takes Steps to Accelerate the Building of Key Infrastructure Projects

Ontario Rebuilding and Recovery Act, 2020 Would Lay the Foundation for Job Creation and a Strong Economic Recovery

The Voice of Canada News:

The Ontario government is introducing a package of legislative and policy measures that would, if passed, accelerate the building of key infrastructure projects to create jobs and lay the foundation for a strong economic recovery. The Ontario Rebuilding and Recovery Act, 2020 would support the construction of better-connected highways and public transit networks, transit-oriented communities, and affordable housing.

Details were provided by Premier Doug Ford, Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation, Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Kinga Surma, Associate Minister of Transportation (GTA).

“The proposed legislation is another building block in our made-in-Ontario plan for growth, renewal and long-term recovery,” said Premier Ford. “It’s absolutely critical to lay this groundwork to ensure infrastructure projects can take off without any further delays. These are projects that will create good jobs across the province, ensure communities are better connected by road and transit, and contribute to a strong economic recovery for every part of our province.”

The proposed legislation, introduced by Minister Mulroney earlier, would reduce barriers in the planning, design and construction of major infrastructure projects like highway and public transit networks, and support the growth of transit-oriented communities.

“The current approach to building major infrastructure projects is plagued with red tape and costly delays,” said Minister Mulroney. “Through these proposed measures, we’re getting shovels in the ground more quickly on transportation projects that will improve the lives of Ontarians right across the province.”

If passed, the suite of additional measures would help to further reduce risk and costs, mitigate unnecessary delays and could encourage competitive bidding associated with transit projects. In addition, the government would work to modernize policies and align processes for consistency to improve public services.

The government is also helping to address zoning, land availability and site plan approval concerns for priority long-term care home development by leveraging support from the Provincial Land and Development Facilitator and by recognizing that the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has existing authority to make Minister’s Zoning Orders under the Planning Act. This approach is already benefiting communities like Ajax, Mississauga and Toronto.

“Modernizing long-term care in Ontario continues to be a key priority of our government,” said Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Long-Term Care. “These initiatives will enable us to build homes faster, which will help us develop more capacity to address the waitlist, and provide our loved ones with better places to live and the care and support they need.”

Additional measures announced today will also support more private sector investments to potentially fund and accelerate broadband expansion in communities across the province.

Accelerated infrastructure delivery cannot be done in isolation. The government is committed to collaborating with municipal partners, Indigenous communities and organizations, and the private sector to accelerate project delivery for the benefit of individuals, families and businesses at a lower cost to the taxpayer.

“Since passing the Transit-Oriented Communities Act, we’ve heard from several municipalities that want to make transit-oriented communities a priority to help create additional housing and to better deliver transit projects,” said Associate Minister Surma. “That is why we are expanding our transit-oriented communities approach beyond new subway stations, to other provincial transit projects, such as GO Heavy Rail and light rail transit.”

Accelerated delivery of these projects would also boost Ontario’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, getting more people back to work more quickly. In order to support this ambitious infrastructure plan, Ontario requires a strong skilled trades and professional workforce. That’s why the government remains committed to helping workers and employers seize opportunities by increasing apprentice registration and training opportunities through major infrastructure projects.

“We are building Ontario’s talent pipeline for in-demand trades like construction,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “These initiatives will help apprentices find good jobs and employers find the skilled workers they need.”

Following introduction, the Ministry of Transportation intends to post a link to the bill on the Environmental Registry of Ontario for a 30-day comment period and, if required, would provide additional opportunities for public engagement.

Quick Facts

• In July 2020, the Building Transit Faster Act became law, providing the province with the tools to expedite the planning, design and construction process of four priority transit projects in the GTA: the new Ontario Line, the three-stop Scarborough Subway Extension, the Eglinton Crosstown LRT West Extension and the Yonge North Subway Extension.
• The COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act also became law in July 2020, with a focus on getting Ontario’s economic engine roaring again by restarting jobs and development, getting key infrastructure projects built faster, attracting more jobs and investment, and cutting red tape to help businesses adapt to the new environment.