Building Ontario: Getting Shovels in the Ground

Minister’s Message

Infrastructure plays a critical role in supporting the quality of life enjoyed by all Ontarians. Investing in infrastructure helps connect communities, people, and businesses—from making our roads and bridges safer to seamless transit and helping to end hallway health care. Strong and lasting infrastructure helps us connect with family and friends, learn in safe environments, support economic development, and access vital services in modern facilities.

The COVID‑19 pandemic has had a significant impact on our communities. During these difficult times, our government doubled down on investing in key infrastructure projects, building and keeping workers working. This will ensure that our province is positioned to recover its economic growth and job creation experienced before the pandemic and is ready for a brighter, more prosperous future. In fact, we recognized the challenges that the pandemic brought forward and adapted by accelerating project delivery to strengthen communities, protect the health and well-being of individuals and families, and create jobs.

As part of our capital plan, we are building Ontario, investing more than $148 billion over the next 10 years to support the construction, rehabilitation and modernization of new schools, hospitals, public transit, roads, bridges, and access to quality, reliable high-speed internet to name only a few. These planned investments, along with the unprecedented level of infrastructure investment made by the government over the last four years, will help create the foundation for Ontario’s economic growth while supporting critical service delivery across the province.

Access to reliable high-speed internet is critical for all Ontarians to work, learn, access vital services, and connect with loved ones, no matter where you live. Our historic investment of nearly $4 billion will bring high-speed internet access to every community across the province by 2025.

At the same time, our government is working collaboratively with our federal and municipal partners to bring key infrastructure projects to communities that need them most. For example, under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), Ontario is investing $10.2 billion to improve public transit; community, culture and recreation; green; rural and northern community; and other priority infrastructure. However, the funding for ICIP is nearly fully committed, and the demand far outstripped the funding available. Ontario is reiterating the call from the Council of Federation for new federal infrastructure funding of at least $10 billion a year over 10 years across Canada.

We are also listening to the needs expressed by municipalities and taking action. Announced in the 2021 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review: Build Ontario, our government is doubling the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) program, investing nearly $2 billion over the next five years. This will help 424 small, rural and northern communities build and repair roads, bridges, and drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.

To deliver the largest subway expansion in Canadian history, Ontario is also investing in a $28.5 billion plan with the all-new Ontario Line, the three-stop Scarborough Subway Extension, the Yonge North Subway Extension connecting to York Region, and the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension that includes a planned extension to Pearson International Airport — the second-largest employment zone in all of Canada.

We are also delivering on our promise by building much needed transit for the people of Ontario with unprecedented speed. Our historic transit expansion plan with $61.6 billion in funding over 10 years is in motion with shovels already in the ground. These projects will improve access to transit, combat gridlock, create jobs, and support the economy. It also means that it will be easier and faster for Ontarians to get to where they need to go safely and efficiently, and for businesses to get their goods to market more quickly. Our government is committed to getting critical transit infrastructure built to support the safe, rapid, convenient and reliable transit experience that Ontarians deserve.

Our plan is delivering more than just public transit, we’re setting out to create transit-oriented communities at or near subways, Light Rail Transit (LRT) and GO stations across the Greater Golden Horseshoe. By bringing jobs and housing closer to transit, we are increasing ridership and the housing supply, while also creating vibrant, complete communities connected to transit.

Looking ahead, we will continue to execute our plan to deliver effective and resilient infrastructure that is built not just for today, but for generations and years to come.

By 2041, Ontario’s population is expected to grow by over 4 million, and our infrastructure needs to grow with it. To ensure Ontario is prepared to meet the needs of the growing population, we continue to enhance, repair and renew existing infrastructure such as our bridges, roads and buildings. Moving forward with the Bradford Bypass and Highway 413 will address gridlock and ensure a better quality of life for future generations. The Greater Golden Horseshoe is one of the fastest growing regions in North America and it is expected the area will attract approximately 1 million new people every five years, reaching nearly 15 million by 2051. In a region already struggling with gridlock, decisive action is needed today. History has shown us that unchecked gridlock has very real costs, and today, in the Greater Toronto Area alone, $11 billion is lost each year in productivity as cars and trucks sit idling on highways.

Through our initiatives to modernize public infrastructure and build a seamless transportation network, we are helping to meet the current and future needs of a growing population and strengthen our economy, right here in Ontario.

This infrastructure update highlights key accomplishments we’ve delivered on over the past four years and provides a view towards some of the new and exciting projects and programs that are underway. By building, upgrading, and modernizing our infrastructure, we will ensure that Ontario is built to last today, and for future generations. We are Building Ontario: Getting Shovels in the Ground.

Kinga Surma – Minister of Infrastructure

Introduction

What is infrastructure and why is it important?

Infrastructure is what brings us together. From highways and transit to high-speed internet, infrastructure connects us every day to our homes, families, friends, workplaces, activities and businesses across Ontario and beyond.

Infrastructure also connects us to the services we need and rely on, like education, health care, long-term care, and community, social and emergency services. Infrastructure supports services that touch all aspects of daily life. Our kids need safe and reliable schools for their education, mental health and well-being, while our seniors need reliable hospitals and long-term care homes to get the care they need in the communities they know, love and call home. Infrastructure is the backbone of a strong and healthy economy and is essential for quality of life, both today and in the future.

The government is building Ontario’s future by getting shovels in the ground for highways, public transit, hospitals, schools and high-speed internet in communities across the province. This is how Ontario will create the conditions for long-term growth and resiliency.

Planned infrastructure investments over the next 10 years total over $148 billion. These investments are fundamental to the Province’s plan for growth and long-term prosperity, by helping to maintain, expand and improve the Province’s infrastructure assets valued at more than $270 billion.

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This chart illustrates the allocation of Ontario’s planned infrastructure expenditures of over $148 billion by sector, over 10 years starting in 2021-22. The largest investment is for transit (41.6 per cent), followed by highways and other transportation (16.5 per cent), health and long-term care (12.6 per cent), education (12.1 per cent), others (9.0 per cent), high-speed internet (2.5 per cent), justice (2.4 per cent), postsecondary (1.7 per cent), and social (1.6 per cent).

Notes:

• The numbers are as of the 2021 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review: Build Ontario.
• Total reflects the planned infrastructure expenditures for years 2021–22 through 2030–31.
• Includes interest capitalized during construction; federal and municipal contributions to provincially owned infrastructure investments; and transfers to municipalities, universities and non-consolidated agencies. Totals do not include other partner funding, including third-party investments in hospitals, colleges and schools.
• ‘Others’ includes the following sectors: government administration, natural resources and culture and tourism.

Infrastructure investments are critical as aging assets are in need of renewal. The importance of these investments grows as the province recovers from the COVID‑19 pandemic, as technological advancements begin to reshape service delivery, and as extreme weather events become more frequent and severe. Through it all, the government is building Ontario and building Ontario’s future.

Infrastructure is a key economic driver which affects both the economy and the province’s ability to produce, compete and recover. It helps local companies create jobs and helps jurisdictions become more competitive. Targeted infrastructure investments lead to productivity growth and boost economic activity and employment. For example, getting businesses and homes access to internet connections through provincial investments in high-speed internet enables access to vital services like health care, education and employment, while increasing economic and entrepreneurial opportunities for the people of Ontario.

The Province’s significant investments in infrastructure demonstrate that Ontario is open for business. They also help us maintain critical public infrastructure, strengthen local economies, create jobs and lay the foundation for long-term economic growth.

The government is committed to protecting Ontario’s economy by investing in infrastructure to make it easier for businesses to set up shop, compete and succeed, while improving the quality of life for all Ontarians.

Challenges and opportunities

As Ontario’s population and economy grow, the province is facing increasing risks and pressures on its public infrastructure – whether it is gridlock on highways, hallway health care or school capacity – if the government doesn’t make critical investments in new infrastructure capacity.

Over time, public buildings, roads and bridges will also physically deteriorate and may need to be replaced earlier than needed if the government fails to invest in infrastructure renewal to extend the useful life of these assets. There is also a need to invest in infrastructure to ensure that it continues to support the delivery of modern services that the people of Ontario rely on.

Similarly, infrastructure investments need to take into greater account the impact of climate change that has potential to cause structural damage, compromise system reliability, and threaten health and safety. All these needs compete for provincial infrastructure spending.

Ontario’s infrastructure investments must be delivered effectively and efficiently. For example, through the transit-oriented communities (TOC) program, the government is building better by placing more housing and jobs near or at transit stations along the routes of the Province’s transit expansion plan. This will increase transit ridership and reduce traffic congestion. Through the TOC program, the Province is rethinking the relationship between transit, housing and commercial spaces to create vibrant communities. This program allows the Province to leverage third-party investment, explore new funding avenues and find opportunities to deliver cost-efficient transit solutions for commuters.

By adopting modern infrastructure procurement practices to evolve in tandem with the changing project delivery landscape, the government is maximizing infrastructure delivery outcomes. This is even more important as major infrastructure projects become larger and increasingly complex, while carrying greater risks. As the infrastructure market shifts, the Province is seeing changes in industry standards and expectations for infrastructure delivery models and is modernizing its approach to keep in stride. Infrastructure Ontario (IO) is at the forefront of implementing innovative procurement models and approaches by working with public and private sector partners. The COVID‑19 pandemic has also affected the infrastructure sector’s market capacity and risk tolerance.

The government is tackling these challenges and associated opportunities by investing more than $148 billion in infrastructure over the next 10 years. To make the most of these investments, Ontario is improving how the province plans for and delivers infrastructure.

Addressing Ontario’s infrastructure needs

There is much to consider when making decisions about infrastructure, including the condition and capacity of assets while ensuring that Ontario’s infrastructure is modern and ready for the future.

The government wants to make sure that Ontario’s infrastructure is working best for Ontarians. For example, the Province wants to reduce congestion on Ontarians’ daily commutes and increase capacity in hospitals to end hallway health care. Therefore, the government needs to make informed investments and deliver projects that will deliver on those priorities.

The Province needs to build new infrastructure when it is needed and maintain the infrastructure already built. The government must ensure they are providing Ontarians with the connections to services and supports they require, while also respecting and most effectively using taxpayer dollars.

To make the most out of provincial infrastructure investments, the Province is improving its infrastructure planning and delivery practices. This is happening through improved data and evidence-based planning, as well as a modernized approach to infrastructure procurement and project delivery oversight.

To better understand the province’s infrastructure needs, the government needs to understand the state of Ontario’s infrastructure, including what condition it is in, if it is reaching capacity, or if it is becoming out of date. To gain this understanding — and to support Ontario’s infrastructure planning — the Province collects and analyzes information on infrastructure assets from across the government. By utilizing this cross-sectoral data, the government will continue to make informed decision on critical infrastructure investments.

The Province is using data to ensure infrastructure investments are delivering safe, reliable, high-quality service to Ontarians that will enhance productivity and promote economic growth. Ontario regularly collects and updates information on the condition of infrastructure and facilities to help us prioritize this spending and ensure that these assets are generating the best value for taxpayers. The government is also working to improve its infrastructure data by centralizing and standardizing data across government, so that the Province can maximize value and most effectively use taxpayer dollars.

Good infrastructure planning also allows Ontario’s municipalities to stretch capital dollars by helping them make well-informed, evidence-based decisions. To help address the need for better municipal infrastructure planning, the Province implemented the Asset Management Planning for Municipal Infrastructure regulation, which is being phased in over a seven-year period, from 2019 to 2025. This regulation ensures municipalities develop comprehensive plans that include an inventory of their infrastructure assets, those assets’ current and proposed service levels, and a strategy to achieve their desired levels.

Ontario Builds

OntarioBuilds, an interactive Ontario government webpage, features a map and database with information on infrastructure projects across Ontario. The map allows the public to track the status of thousands of infrastructure projects taking place in communities in every corner of the province. Ontario Builds is part of the government’s plan to make data on infrastructure more transparent, while also keeping people informed about investments that will impact their local community.

Ontario Builds represents a large, coordinated effort requiring input from hundreds of ministries, agencies and broader public sector partners. This includes groups such as school boards and hospitals, as well as transfer payment partners such as municipalities.

Visitors to the webpage can search by project location, status or sector. Visitors can either view the projects on a map or download the data in spreadsheet format.

Ontario will continue to maintain and update the website to provide more timely and accurate project information and expected completion dates, while also improving the scope of projects that are included on the webpage.

Infrastructure Accomplishments

Transportation: highways and public transit

Ontarians have spent too much time facing traffic, gridlock and delays. Congestion represents a significant cost to the economy and impacts the quality of life for everyone. The government is investing to expand transit services and relieve congestion across the province to address this for the future.

Providing more transit options and promoting a multi-modal transportation network that supports the efficient movement of people and goods are key priorities for the Ontario government. The Province strives to keep Ontario’s roads safe, and make strategic investments in transit, highways, roads and bridges.

The Province’s transportation network incorporates all provincial highways, 11 ferry services, 29 remote airports, Metrolinx and Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC) bus services and the entire Metrolinx GO Rail network, including the Union Pearson express and a number of light rail transit projects currently in delivery.

The highway network is one of the largest and most sophisticated in North America. With an estimated replacement value of over $82 billion, it includes approximately 16,900 kilometres of pavement, more than 2,800 bridges, 15 tunnels and numerous traffic information systems.

In September 2019, Metrolinx assumed responsibility for the development and implementation of priority subway projects in addition to GO Transit and light rail transit projects under construction. Prior to the COVID‑19 pandemic, GO Transit carried over 70 million passengers a year.

In rural and Northern Ontario, the ONTC, under the oversight of the Ministry of Transportation, delivers safe and reliable transportation services, including rail freight, motor coach and passenger train services.

At the top of Southwestern Ontario in Grey County, the Owen Sound Transportation Company provides efficient, safe and reliable ferry transportation between several Ontario ports.

Highway accomplishments

The Province has made significant investments in the transportation sector and has completed a number of key highway projects since 2018. Some examples of the investments being made include:

• The $616 million Highway 427 expansion project, completed in September 2021, involved a new 6.6-kilometre extension from Highway 7 to Major Mackenzie Drive, road widening from Finch Avenue to Highway 7, and managed lane infrastructure to improve traffic flow.
• $641 million in 2021-22 to expand and repair highways, roads and bridges in Northern Ontario and tendered for construction the twinning of the first section of Highway 17 from Kenora to the Manitoba border.
• Proceeding with the construction for the widening of Highway 3 to four lanes between the Town of Essex and Leamington in Southern Ontario.

Looking ahead

The government is investing more than $22 billion over 10 years to support the planning and/or construction of highway expansion and rehabilitation projects across the province. This includes:

• Advancing the development of Highway 413, a new corridor across Halton, Peel and York regions.
• Advancing the Bradford Bypass, connecting Highway 400 and Highway 404 in Simcoe and York.
• High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on Highway 400 southbound in Vaughan between King Road and Major Mackenzie Drive.
• Expansion of the Highway 404 corridor from Woodbine Avenue in East Gwillimbury to Highway 48 in Sutton.
• Widening Highway 11 to four lanes between Thunder Bay and Nipigon in Northern Ontario.
• $1 billion committed to First Nations-led infrastructure projects in the Far North including the Webequie Supply Road, Marten Falls Community Access Road and the Northern Road Link that will connect these communities to the Ontario highway network for the first time.

These projects will help to improve congestion across Ontario and will play a vital role in improving the province’s economic competitiveness, supporting growth and job creation.

Through its upcoming plans and projects, the Province continues working towards achieving global leadership in moving people and goods safely, efficiently and sustainably, while supporting a globally competitive economy and a high-quality of life for all Ontarians.

Public transit accomplishments

Ontario has invested in multiple public transit projects since 2018 to improve public transit availability and access. Investments include:

• GO expansion — Highway 401 Rail Tunnel: a $116.9 million contract, substantially completed in July 2021, includes the construction of two tunnels under Highway 401/409 to accommodate two additional tracks, future signaling and communications infrastructure. This will enable more frequent, two-way, all-day rail service along the Kitchener GO line corridor.
• GO expansion — Cooksville GO Station: the $128.4 million contract, completed in September 2020, includes a new station building with a large public plaza, a six-storey parking structure and a bus loop with eight bus bays for GO and MiWay bus service.
• Subway expansion: the Province has made rapid progress on the largest subway expansion in Canadian history, including beginning tunnel construction work for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension and the Scarborough Subway Extension, with planning and procurement for work underway for the Ontario Line and the Yonge North Subway Extension as well.
• Other transit expansion — London Bus Rapid Transit (BRT): the Downtown Loop is the first of London’s new rapid transit projects and includes bus-only lanes, intelligent traffic signals, platforms and bicycle lanes. The construction of Phase 1 was completed in 2021 and saw the addition of a new bus-only lane on King Street between Ridout Street and Wellington Street.

Looking ahead

Ontario is investing more than $61.6 billion over 10 years in public transit. To deliver the largest subway expansion in Canadian history, Ontario is investing in a $28.5 billion plan with the all-new Ontario Line, the three-stop Scarborough Subway Extension, the Yonge North Subway Extension connecting to York Region, and the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension.

Ontario is also investing $1.7 billion to support construction of the Hamilton Light Rail Transit project.

Why access to well-planned and maintained highways, roads and bridges matters

A strong highway network and reliable local roads and bridges improve productivity and encourage economic growth, allowing goods to get to market faster. It also has a measurable impact on the quality of life for Ontario drivers by providing faster and safer travel so that they can spend more time with friends and family. The ongoing rehabilitation, maintenance and construction of Ontario's transportation network ensures that assets are in good repair, encourages job creation and trade and plays a significant role in people's social and economic well‐being, particularly in rural areas where highways are often the only option available. Strengthening and expanding the province's roads, bridges and highways gives people more choice and convenience by allowing for safe, seamless connections across municipalities, ensuring Ontario is ready to support the needs of a growing population.

Why access to public transit matters

Public transit is reliable, efficient and accessible. Few public services impact people's lives more than public transit for the workers and families in Ontario's larger urban centres. An efficient, effective transit system allows people to get to and from work quickly and ensures they can spend more time with their families. The expansion of the province's transit systems will create more jobs and provide more opportunities for families who live in communities currently underserved by transit. Ontario's investments will allow seamless connections across municipalities and enable regional economic competitiveness and productivity. It will also reduce gridlock on our roads and highways and help contribute to a cleaner environment.

Health care

Ontario has faced longstanding challenges around hospital bed shortages. Existing hospitals require investments to keep them in good condition, to modernize them and to expand their programs and the number of beds to provide care to patients.

The government’s support in upgrading and building health care facilities across the province is essential in delivering the high-quality care that Ontarians expect and deserve. It is also part of Ontario’s comprehensive plan to end hallway health care. By investing in new hospitals and expanding and maintaining existing health care services, the Province is ensuring Ontarians have access to care when and where they need it.

Health care accomplishments

Since 2018, Ontario has invested over $6 billion in health care infrastructure to deliver important projects that will create new capacity and maintain existing facilities. This includes:

• The opening of the Mackenzie Health’s Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, which was the first net new hospital in Ontario in over 30 years. The Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital was used to support the COVID‑19 response and help alleviate hospital capacity experienced in York, Peel and Toronto. The hospital features fully integrated smart technology systems and medical devices to support more innovative and better patient care.
• A new four-storey tower and renovations at Brockville General Hospital that resulted in 22 new inpatient beds. It also includes improved access to services for mental health, palliative and complex continuing care, and rehabilitation and restorative care.
• In 2021-22, the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund supported critical upgrades, repairs and maintenance in 133 hospitals across the province.

Improving the condition of our infrastructure

The government is improving the condition of health sector facilities and extending the life of existing assets. As part of the 2021 Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund that supports critical upgrades, repairs and maintenance in 133 hospitals across the province, $175 million will be used by hospitals to support urgent projects in their facilities. This includes upgrades to heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems to enhance patient and staff safety and improving infection prevention and control measures.

Other recent provincial investments to renew Ontario’s hospital assets include:

• Construction start of the new Markdale Hospital to replace the existing aged facility, expand capacity and improve access to high-quality care for patients and families. Once completed, the project will include a modern, 24/7 emergency department with four exam and treatment areas that will provide improved space for staff and patients.
• Supporting Quinte Health Care to design a new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital that will replace the existing facility with a state-of-the-art facility, expand capacity and improve access to quality care in Prince Edward County.
• South Bruce Grey Health Centre – Kincardine Site Phase 1 Redevelopment Project, currently in early planning that, once completed, will renovate and expand aging infrastructure and improve access to high-quality health care in the growing community. The project includes updates to the emergency department and diagnostic imaging areas of the hospital.
• Hamilton Health Sciences – West Lincoln Memorial Hospital Site will see a new state-of-the-art hospital built on the same site to replace aging infrastructure and enhance health care services in the community. The project is in procurement and the Request for Proposal closed on January 2022.

Looking ahead

There are currently approximately 50 major hospital projects and 25 community health care projects that are either under construction or in various stages of planning.

The government is investing $30.2 billion in hospital projects over the next 10 years to address growing demand for health care services and support new and innovative models of care. It also includes essential improvements and expansions for emergency rooms, surgical facilities and patient spaces across the province.

With these much needed infrastructure investments, Ontario will ease the pressure on hospitals as the government builds a modern, sustainable and integrated public health care system centred on the needs of patient.

Long-term care

Ontario’s growing aging population means more demand, adding pressure to waitlists for long-term care (LTC) beds. Some LTC facilities are built to outdated standards and require renewal and modernization.

Long-term care accomplishments

Ontario is fixing long-term care so that every resident experiences the best quality of life, supported by safe, high-quality care.

• Ontario plans to invest an additional $3.7 billion, beginning in 2024–25, on top of the historic $2.68 billion already invested, to fulfill the government’s commitment of building 30,000 net new long-term care beds by 2028 and redeveloping older existing long-term care beds to modern design standards. These historic investments would bring the total funding to $6.4 billion since spring 2019.
• As of February 1, 2022, Ontario has 21,709 net new and 17,046 upgraded beds in the development pipeline. The 21,709 net new beds represent 72 per cent of the 30,000 net new beds being delivered that are in the planning, construction and opening stages of the development process.
• Since 2018, eleven long-term care projects have been completed and opened, representing 461 net new beds and 609 older beds upgraded to modern standards. Another 32 projects, comprised of 2,433 net new beds and 3,414 older beds, are in the construction stage (as of Dec. 31, 2021).
• The government launched the Accelerated Build pilot program in July 2020. Through the use of hospital-owned land, rapid procurement and accelerated construction methods, the pilot program aims to deliver four new long-term care homes sooner than a traditional development project. The first home, Lakeridge Health Ajax, will open by April 2022 and the other three are forecasted to be completed in early 2023. The pilot program will add up to 1,272 long-term care beds:
  • one home, with up to 320 new long-term care beds, to be developed by Lakeridge Health in Ajax
  • one home, with up to 320 new beds, to be developed by Humber River Hospital in Toronto
  • two homes, with up to 632 new beds in total, to be developed by Trillium Health Partners in Mississauga
• Ontario also invested up to $147 million in heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in 2021-22 to enhance resident safety and comfort. This includes an investment of over $61 million as part of Ontario’s COVID‑19: Long-term care preparedness plan for minor capital repairs and renovations in homes to improve infection prevention and control.
• To support the recently approved long-term care loan guarantee program, Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Long-term Care are collectively assessing a pipeline of loans to not-for-profit long-term care operators that will support the development of new beds.

Looking ahead

The government has issued a new call for applications for long-term care home development to support building an additional 10,000 net new long-term care beds and upgrading more than 12,000 existing beds to modern design standards. The new and upgraded beds will increase capacity to respond to geographic demand and community needs; support diversity through culturally-specific program services (including services for Francophone and Indigenous peoples); upgrade homes with three- and four-resident bedrooms so that no more than two residents will be in a room; and promote innovation and expanded care structures, including specialized medical services and campus of care models. Building new long-term care beds will increase access to long-term care, reduce waitlists, ease hospital capacity pressures and improve working conditions for staff in long-term care homes.

Education

Schools across the province require investment in order to continue to provide safe and healthy learning environments, including responding to the challenges brought on by the COVID‑19 pandemic. In some parts of the province, population growth has added capacity pressures. The government is making significant investments in the education sector to ensure schools are safe and have the capacity for future growth.

Ontario’s K–12 education sector is made up of approximately 4,600 publicly funded schools, owned and operated by 72 local school boards and four school-board authorities. Ontario’s publicly supported postsecondary education system has 24 colleges and 23 universities. Educational institutions, which support and prepare students to succeed in Ontario’s economy, are often the heart of their communities.

Education accomplishments

Since 2018, the Ontario government has invested over $1.5 billion in major capital construction projects in education, including 76 new schools, 75 additions and renovations to existing facilities, and 4,908 new licensed child care spaces. This includes an investment of over $600 million in two capital building programs for 2021-22; $565 million towards 26 new schools and 20 permanent additions and renovations; and $42.6 million through the Early Years Capital Program for renovations or additions of 32 child care centres located in schools across the province to create over 1,500 new licensed child care spaces.

Examples of projects include:

• a new elementary school in Oshawa, accommodating over 530 students in a growing community, including the construction of 73 child care spaces
• the expansion of St. Agnes Catholic Elementary School in Waterloo that includes the addition of over 160 student spaces
• the purchase of a facility in Ottawa to host the École élémentaire catholique Au Cœur d'Ottawa that accommodates over 350 French-language elementary students and 39 child care spaces

Ontario provides school boards with annual infrastructure funding to address school renewal and temporary accommodation pressures, as well as additional funding for specific government priorities, including those related to the COVID‑19 pandemic.

Some of these investments include:

• Continued investment of approximately $1.4 billion annually to support the repair and renewal of schools to provide critical improvements to support safety and students’ learning and well-being, including in each of the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years. This funding can be used by school boards for ventilation-related projects, including HVAC systems and windows.
• Providing school boards with access to $656.5 million in combined federal-provincial funding under the COVID‑19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, supporting over 9,800 projects at almost 3,900 schools and co-located child care facilities across the province. Approximately $450 million of this funding has supported ventilation-related projects.
• Additional investments in ventilation and filtration improvements in schools to help ensure they remain as safe as possible, including supporting the deployment of over 73,000 standalone high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter units and other ventilation devices. For the 2021–22 school year, school boards were required to place standalone HEPA filter units in every occupied kindergarten class and in all occupied learning spaces without mechanical ventilation, including classrooms, gyms, libraries, lunchrooms, child care spaces, administrative spaces and portables with no or poor mechanical ventilation.

Looking ahead

Ontario is investing about $14 billion in capital grants over a 10-year period to help build new schools in high-growth areas and improve the condition of existing schools. There are currently more than 300 child care and education building-related projects in development across Ontario with more than 100 actively under construction.

Over five years, Ontario will invest up to $1 billion to create up to 30,000 child care spaces. These school-based child care settings will provide safe learning environments for children and offer them the opportunity to grow and learn in a familiar environment.

Acting on the advice of medical and public health experts, including Public Health Ontario, Sick Kids Hospital, and Ontario’s Science Advisory Table, the Province continues to work collaboratively with school boards to support improvements to ventilation and filtration as part of the multiple measures being implemented to ensure schools remain as safe as possible for all.

Postsecondary education sector

There are 47 publicly supported postsecondary institutions in Ontario (24 colleges and 23 universities), with full-time enrolment of over 700,000 across the province.

Postsecondary education institutions play a critical role in enabling Ontarians to generate ideas, products and jobs that will ensure future prosperity for Ontario. They also continue to be a key source of provincial research, fostering innovation and commercialization.

Postsecondary education has never been more important to Ontario’s economic future, providing graduates with better prospects of economic and social success.

Postsecondary education accomplishments

The Ontario government continues to support institutions by providing capital funding to help college and university campuses offer modern and safe environments where students can learn, work, play and make lifelong connections. The Province shares responsibility with the institutions to invest in expanding and renewing assets.

Ontario has funded critical capital projects, including:

• An investment of $14.3 million towards the University of Toronto – Lab Innovation for Toronto (LIFT) Project, which redesigns new space for improved collaboration and research.
• An investment of $22 million for the Durham College – Centre for Collaborative Education, which supports global and local entrepreneurial approaches to teaching and learning through Aboriginal, entrepreneurship and student success centres.

Looking ahead

The world-class education that students receive at postsecondary institutions is critical to the future of Ontario for its support of economic growth.

Ontario will invest $90 million over three years to help colleges and universities renew and purchase modern, state-of-the-art equipment. This will enable relevant, high-quality training to ensure that graduates meet the needs of Ontario’s labour market, including increased access to micro-credentials (short, concentrated groups of courses that are flexible, innovative, timely, and based on current and future industry needs).

Ontario is also investing $493 million in capital funding over three years, starting in 2021–22 to help colleges and universities address the ongoing need for the maintenance, renovation and modernization of their facilities, so faculty and staff can continue to learn and teach in a safe and modern environment.

Justice

Ontario faces challenges to deliver consistent justice services across the province, both in person and remotely. Challenges include bandwidth issues, capacity constraints, and aging facilities that require repair, renewal and modernization.

Maintaining a strong justice system that reflects our values and protects Ontarians’ rights is a key priority for the government. Upgrading infrastructure such as courthouses, correctional facilities and Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) facilities is important to support the delivery of justice uniformly across the province. It is also necessary to reflect the changing needs of society, while ensuring justice facilities are safe, modern and functional.

Justice accomplishments

Ontario has made significant investments to support existing justice sector infrastructure to meet current and future needs. The government has also responded swiftly during the COVID‑19 pandemic to establish innovative ways of delivering justice remotely and online, while ensuring public safety. This includes:

• A six-floor addition to the A. Grenville and William Davis Courthouse in Brampton, which will address increased demand through additional courtrooms and implementation of technology that will support increased remote court proceedings.
• Renovation and renewal of existing facilities to update technology and address health and safety and security issues – e.g., mould remediation and security system upgrades at the Milton courthouse, and technology upgrades in every courtroom at the Milton and Burlington courthouses.
• A new, innovative community court model of four Justice Centres pilots (Toronto-downtown East, Toronto-Northwest, Kenora and London) that moves justice out of the traditional courtroom and into a community setting, where justice participants co-locate with culturally-relevant on-site health, employment, education, housing and social services. By integrating early supports, these centres can help to address root causes of crime, break the cycle of offending, create system efficiencies and improve community safety and well-being.
• Strengthened community safety and better supported modern policing operations with updated OPP facilities across the province. Nine detachments have been replaced across the province with one additional detachment in Cambridge currently undergoing construction.
• Due to COVID‑19, Ontario moved the justice system forward through modernization initiatives. This includes supporting innovative ways of conducting court proceedings, offering more remote proceedings and adopting online methods for filing and interacting with the court to reduce the number of in-person visits to the courthouse. Investments in technology have also helped to move more services online, making it easier for people to access the justice system no matter where they live.
• Investments in transformative new tools, such as digital evidence management and eIntake, to build a more connected and resilient criminal justice system by transforming the way evidence is managed by police, prosecutors and courts. By making it easier for justice partners to manage and share evidence digitally, police officers and prosecutors will spend less time on paperwork and more time on what matters most – protecting communities.

Looking ahead

Ontario is making strategic investments to strengthen the adult correctional system and support frontline correctional officers across the province. These investments include new construction and building upgrades that will address capacity challenges, expand mental health supports and enhance programming and services. This includes:

• building a new, modern correctional complex in Thunder Bay
• constructing new modular, rapid build facilities to support correctional services in Thunder Bay and Kenora
• building a new Eastern Ontario Correctional Complex in Kemptville
• replacing the Brockville Jail – the oldest in the province – with a new facility
• expanding the St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre and the Quinte Detention Centre
• renovating the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre

The government is also investing $500 million over five years to transform correctional services across the province, including new hires and infrastructure improvements. In addition, the government is supporting the work of frontline and emergency responders across the province by investing $765 million to rebuild the core components of the aging Public Safety Radio Network (PSRN).

The COVID‑19 pandemic has impacted the way Ontario’s justice system will need to be transformed and updated in the future. There is a greater need to invest in technology, modernize processes and expand access to justice across the province, including in rural and remote regions. New courthouses will be built smaller, smarter and in a more cost-effective way and placed in strategic locations that maximize service reach to all Ontarians. This shift towards innovation and new technology will move more services online and position Ontario to be at the forefront of building a modern justice system today and for generations to come.

High-speed internet

Prior to the COVID‑19 pandemic, as many as 700,000 households and businesses in Ontario lacked access to adequate high-speed internet. Through shovel-ready projects and new investments, Ontario is directly enabling access to high-speed internet for 375,000 households and businesses and the remaining will be captured through our next phase of funding, which includes a competitive reverse auction led by Infrastructure Ontario.

The future is inevitably becoming more digital. A great deal of data moves at light-speed along wires and through the air to improve our lives, making it easier to learn, receive health care and help businesses and industry thrive.

However, there are gaps in the networks that bring us better, faster and more reliable internet and mobile service. To fill these critical infrastructure gaps, the government is investing in broadband infrastructure projects that are helping industry extend network connections to all corners of the province.

The people of Ontario need better access to reliable high-speed internet, now more than ever. The government is working tirelessly to ensure every community will have access to reliable high-speed internet services by 2025.

High-speed internet accomplishments

Ontario has a comprehensive and bold plan to bring high-speed internet access to every community across the province. This is supported by a historic investment of nearly $4 billion to achieve 100 per cent connectivity by the end of 2025. It is the largest single investment in high-speed internet, in any province, by any government, in Canadian history. To date, initiatives are underway and will be providing better internet access to over 375,000 homes and businesses across Ontario. This includes:

• An investment of over $16 million for 17 projects in 46 communities under the Improving Connectivity for Ontario (ICON) program.
• A joint investment of up to $1.2 billion in 58 high-speed internet projects through the provincial ICON program and the Federal Universal Broadband Fund. These projects will provide high-speed internet access to nearly 280,000 homes and businesses.
• Investing in the Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) project to bring high-speed internet to nearly 58,000 more homes and businesses across Southwestern Ontario. In total, the project will see investments of nearly $255 million to expand high-speed internet, including funding from federal, provincial and municipal governments.
• Building broadband infrastructure and upgrading the speed and capacity to bring access to faster high-speed internet to several towns and First Nations communities across Northern Ontario, through an investment of nearly $11 million. In addition, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, through its Broadband and Cellular Expansion program stream, will assist in addressing broadband gaps in Northern Ontario by increasing connectivity for unserved or underserved areas. The Next Generation Network Program will increase access to high-speed internet for rural and Northern Ontario communities.
• Connecting five remote Matawa-member First Nations communities to fast and reliable internet services, which benefits more than 670 homes and institutions, including schools, airports, band offices, health offices and police stations. This investment of $30 million will help improve quality of life and create vibrant communities by connecting families, driving economic growth and expanding access to education and skills training.
• An innovative process, led by Infrastructure Ontario (IO), that is critical to reach remaining underserved communities and help Ontario to meet its 2025 goals. This fair, open and competitive process enabled internet service providers to bid through a series of reverse auction events for defined geographic areas. The process is now coming to a close and Ontario expects to report on results shortly.
• Ontario is also investing $71 million in the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) Cellular Gap project to improve both the coverage and capacity of cellular and mobile internet services in Eastern Ontario.
• To meet the rapid rise in demand for high-speed internet connectivity at home and around the world, Ontario is investing more than $109 million in Telesat’s next-generation Low Earth Orbit Satellite Network, Telesat Lightspeed. This technology will help ensure that the furthest, most remote communities are able to connect to high-speed internet.

These projects need to move quickly but require approvals from local authorities and support from other infrastructure owners to install infrastructure quickly and cost-effectively.

The Building Broadband Faster Act, 2021 (BBFA) will speed up construction by setting timelines for advancing projects and encouraging support from other sectors. The Province continues to build out BBFA and other laws to improve sector participation, including the introduction of the Getting Ontario Connected Act, 2022 on March 7, 2022.

The Province is also developing platforms and support services to help municipalities and the broader infrastructure sector to expeditiously support the fast construction of high-speed internet projects.

Looking ahead

Ontario continues to move forward and make significant progress to help achieve the commitment to enable access for all underserved and unserved homes and businesses across the province. This commitment will ensure that all Ontarians, no matter where they live, can participate in today’s economy and create the foundations for long-term economic growth for Ontario.

Other sectors

Ontario’s infrastructure impacts a wide variety of different initiatives, services and programs across the province. This includes social infrastructure such as children’s treatment centres, residences for individuals with developmental disabilities, women’s shelters and community wellness buildings, and tourism and culture infrastructure such as museums, galleries, convention centres and historic parks. It includes government services such as the General Real Estate Portfolio that includes properties and accommodation services to ministries. It also includes a science complex that conducts specialized testing for air, water, soil, sediments, effluents and wastes, and provides 24/7 response for emergencies and spills.

Social infrastructure

The COVID‑19 pandemic has disproportionately affected the most vulnerable populations. Children’s treatment centres, women’s shelters and other social service delivery facilities require continued infrastructure investments to maintain services.

Social infrastructure accomplishments

Ontario’s social infrastructure delivers vital services to the community. This includes providing children and youth with the best possible start in life, allowing newcomers to gain access to critical services and providing key supports to prevent and reduce cycles of poverty within communities. Through key social infrastructure investments, the government is supporting developmental needs of children and youth, child welfare, violence against women and other community wellness issues. Examples include:

• Building a new Children’s Treatment Centre as part of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa. Once completed, it will allow children, youth and families who are on waitlists to receive faster access to critical programs and services, such as developmental services, autism services, speech and language pathology and occupational therapy.
• Investing $31 million to support the construction of a new, multi-purpose building at the Grandview Children’s Treatment Centre in Ajax. This will help serve over 6,000 children, youth and families annually in the Durham region with rehabilitation services and wraparound supports for families of children with special needs.
• Increasing capacity, reducing waitlists and improving rehabilitative treatment for thousands of children with special needs in Chatham-Kent through investments to support the planning of the construction of a new Children’s Treatment Centre.
• Increased funding to develop more capacity at shelters and aid centres in rural and remote communities to protect some of Ontario’s most vulnerable population. This includes additional supports for emergency shelters for women and children fleeing violence.

Looking ahead

The government continues to protect and provide critical services for some of Ontario’s most vulnerable populations. To build on the work currently being done, Ontario is providing funding to support the development of specialized residences to assist children who have been victims of human trafficking by providing them a safe space to heal from the trauma they experience. The government is also working to enhance program delivery for Ontario’s youth by continuing to work with delivery partners on plans for new and improved facilities and children’s treatment centres.

Heritage, tourism, sport, and culture infrastructure

Aging facilities require continued investments to ensure economic growth within the heritage, tourism, sport, and culture sector, which was heavily impacted by the COVID‑19 pandemic.

Heritage, tourism, sport, and culture accomplishments

Provincial investments in heritage, tourism, sport and culture infrastructure contribute to Ontario’s economic and social well-being by delivering different programs and services at locations across the province. This includes museums, galleries, convention centres, buildings, natural reserves, historic parks, recreational parks, sport and recreation facilities and the redevelopment of Ontario Place.

Together, programs and services delivered through this infrastructure contribute to sector expansion in Ontario, fueling economic development and investment. Accomplishments include:

• Providing $20 million in funding over three years to support the Stratford Festival’s initiative to replace its Tom Patterson Theatre. This new theatre will attract 52,000 more patrons each year and create 242 full-time equivalent incremental jobs in the cultural, digital and tourism industries. It is expected to bring an additional $14.5 million in economic activity to Stratford each year.
• Investing $42 million in the revitalization of Massey Hall Theatre in Toronto, increasing seating capacity, doubling the number of events and performances the hall can host, creating 160 new full-time jobs, generating more than $5 million in annual provincial tax revenue and will contribute over $40 million annually to Ontario’s gross domestic product (GDP).
• Developing Place des Arts, a multi-use cultural facility in downtown Sudbury, which will serve the region’s Francophone community. This $30 million project is part of Sudbury’s efforts to revitalize downtown Sudbury and it is projected to add $7 million to the city’s economy.
• Providing $5 million to the Canadian Canoe Museum to support the construction of a new $31 million museum located on Little Lake, Peterborough. The new 65,000 square foot museum will include a collections centre, exhibit galleries, a research centre, education space, an artisan canoe building workshop, café, gift shop and gathering space.
• Through the Ontario Library Service, the Province is providing $4.85 million to support broadband upgrades at approximately 50 libraries in unserved and underserved communities through the Connecting Public Libraries initiative.
• Providing nearly $50 million in capital funding to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for the Community Building Fund – Capital Stream, which will support 186 municipalities, Indigenous communities and non-profit organizations to complete much needed sport and recreation facility infrastructure retrofits and rehabilitation to ensure they can continue to provide programs and services vital to their communities.
• Supporting the 2022 Canada Summer Games in Niagara Region through a $29 million investment under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) to construct a new multi-use sport and recreation facility (Canada Games Park). This is in addition to a previous $3 million commitment towards other capital needs of the Games. New and upgraded sport and recreation facilities will not only bring new jobs to the Niagara Region, but will also support athletes and provide residents with facilities to enjoy for years to come.
• Redeveloping and revitalizing Ontario Place into a world-class, year-round destination with three private sector partners: Therme Group, Live Nation and Écorécréo Group. In addition, the Province is also working with the Ontario Science Centre to explore opportunities to have science-related tourism and educational programming at the Cinesphere and pod complex.

Looking ahead

Ontario’s world-class infrastructure is critical to attracting visitors and raising the province’s international profile and desirability. Although the COVID‑19 pandemic heavily impacted the heritage, tourism, sport and culture industries, the government is investing more than $400 million over the next three years in new initiatives to support these sectors. This brings the total support for these sectors for infrastructure investments to more than $625 million since the pandemic began.

Government services infrastructure

As the owner of assets used to deliver government services, the government must ensure that taxpayer dollars are well managed by optimizing the use of the Province’s real estate and renewing government assets to ensure health and safety.

Government services accomplishments

It is important for government services to have well-functioning Information and Information Technology (I&IT) infrastructure, hardware and infrastructure software. The government is streamlining provincial IT processes and service delivery to benefit all Ontarians. In addition, physical assets are being responsibly managed to ensure that the government can serve the public in the most efficient ways possible. This includes:

• Generating approximately $152 million in net revenue by selling 108 government surplus properties and saving over $3 million in annual cost savings and liability reduction.
• Completing Phase One of the Macdonald Block Reconstruction project that relocated provincial workers from the Macdonald Block Complex to temporary office locations. The project is now in Phase Two and reconstruction of the complex has begun. It is expected to be completed in Spring 2024 and will make better use of space to accommodate more workers, eliminating the need for approximately 586,000 square feet of rented office space.

Looking ahead

As Ontario continues to optimize key IT infrastructure and effectively manage government properties, it is important to reduce regulatory burdens and provide modern solutions. Ontario continues to improve the use of its government realty by reducing a total of 372 properties by 2022, generating between $154 million and $185 million, resulting in an annual cost reduction of nearly $10 million.

While real estate is one of the government’s greatest resources, we can get even better value from our properties. By establishing a “Centre of Realty Excellence” (CORE), the government is creating one holistic sight line across the public sector for prudent management of government property and to determine priority surplus properties aligned with key programs, including affordable housing and long-term care.

To optimize government’s physical infrastructure, as part of the TRIP program, efforts have been underway to move from on-premise hosting of government’s digital service offerings to the public cloud. In this regard, the Ontario government has moved over 20 per cent of its applications to the cloud with over 17 per cent in public cloud and is working towards increasing its cloud adoption to 50 per cent over the next two years.

Migrating the Ontario government’s applications to the cloud not only allows for optimized physical infrastructure investments, but it has also resulted in streamlined processes across the board and was one of the key factors enabling uninterrupted service delivery during the COVID‑19 pandemic.

Municipal and community infrastructure

Aging municipal infrastructure requires significant, critical investments just to keep facilities and other assets maintained in good working order.

The Ontario government is working closely with the federal government to invest in projects through federal-provincial infrastructure programs, including the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP). This cooperative approach will maximize Ontario’s infrastructure and planning investments over the next 10 years. The investments also help stimulate job creation and economic growth and are vital to support COVID‑19 recovery efforts.

In addition, through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF), the Province is supporting core infrastructure for small, rural and Northern municipalities. The annual investments fund critical road, bridge, water, wastewater and stormwater projects to address renewal and rehabilitation of core and critical municipal infrastructure.

The Ministry of Infrastructure is responsible, along with the federal government and City of Toronto, for the oversight of Waterfront Toronto, which is mandated to deliver a revitalized waterfront for Toronto.

ICIP accomplishments

ICIP represents up to $30 billion in combined federal, provincial and partner funding over 10 years. Since June 2018, Ontario has committed to investing a total of $10.2 billion across five ICIP sub-streams: Public Transit Infrastructure Stream, Green Infrastructure Stream, Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream, COVID‑19 Resilience stream and Community, Culture and Recreation stream. Four of the ICIP streams were open to and included projects in or from First Nations and Indigenous communities. As part of the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream, funding was allocated to 96 municipal transit systems plus Metrolinx.

As of August 2021, the government has announced nearly $7 billion in provincial funding toward infrastructure through all five ICIP program streams. The breakdown of provincial funding across all five streams includes:

• over $360 million for over 200 public transit projects for municipalities outside of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA)
• over $700 million for more than 65 public transit projects for municipalities inside the GTHA
• over $5.1 billion for five priority transit and two other City of Toronto transit projects
• over $117 million for more than 140 rural and Northern projects
• over $40 million for over 70 Green Infrastructure projects
• over $300 million for over 270 Community, Culture and Recreation projects
• over $210 million under the COVID‑19 Resilience stream, supporting over 550 projects under the Local Government sub-stream, as well as long-term care and education projects

OCIF accomplishments

From 2018 to 2021, a total of $200 million of formula-based funding was allocated to eligible Ontario municipalities each year. These investments continue to help eligible communities attract jobs and investment, as well as build local capacity to grow and thrive. This approach has also allowed for stability and has been responsive to municipal needs during the COVID‑19 pandemic.

Examples of local community infrastructure projects funded by OCIF include:

• Rehabilitation of watermain lining and installation of new fire hydrants in Timmins
• Resurfacing of 10 roads as part of the 2020 Surface Treatment Program in Loyalist Township
• Upgrade of the Golden Pheasant Wastewater Treatment Plant in the District Municipality of Muskoka
• Rehabilitation of the Grange Sideroad Bridge in Caledon
• Safety upgrades to install guardrails at priority locations in Huron County

Other accomplishments

The Government of Ontario is providing $15 million annually to northern municipalities to help support infrastructure projects over the next five years. The new Northern Ontario Resource Development Support (NORDS) Fund will share the benefits of mining and forestry with municipalities and complement existing funding streams for building infrastructure.

The Province has also earmarked more than $155 million in 2021–22 in funding for Waterfront Toronto for the Port Lands Flood Protection Project, which is being delivered in partnership with the federal government and the City of Toronto. This project will protect 290 hectares in the Toronto Port Lands and surrounding areas from flooding, improving climate resiliency over a larger area. The project will unlock the area’s potential for future residential and commercial development, while creating a new river valley, urban wetlands and adding public park space.

In addition, Ontario continues to support its agencies, including the Walkerton Clean Water Centre, which is planning to construct a new heated garage and storage space to house its sensitive water testing equipment.

Looking ahead

The ICIP Green Stream used different intakes to focus on smaller municipalities and communities. Ontario’s second intake of the Green Stream closed on September 9, 2021. Through this intake, up to $330 million in federal-provincial funding will be made available to municipalities and First Nations with populations under 100,000 as well as eligible Local Services Boards. Eligible projects include rehabilitation and repair projects to help address critical health and safety risks associated with drinking water infrastructure. As part of the intake, a dedicated funding carve-out of a minimum of 10 per cent of federal-provincial funding was allocated to First Nations projects. As of January 2022, the Province has nominated over 144 critical drinking water projects to the federal government for review and approval. The Province continues to work with the federal government during their review process and anticipates final approvals on projects later in spring 2022.

These projects are an important contribution to addressing critical health and safety risks across the province and will fully use the funding remaining in the Green Stream. However, in summer 2020, when Canada announced the new ICIP COVID‑19 Response Infrastructure Stream, no additional federal funding was provided. To utilize this flexibility, the federal government required provinces to repurpose funding from existing ICIP streams. In October 2020, as it was the only stream with funding left, the $1 billion that Ontario had intended for water, wastewater and stormwater projects under ICIP Green was allocated to the new COVID‑19 stream and no longer available to support Green projects. In addition to calling on the federal government to commit to $100 billion across Canada over ten years in new infrastructure funding, Ontario is exploring opportunities to replenish the Green stream to meet and address the remaining challenges.

Ontario is responding to the need expressed by municipalities by increasing the annual investment in OCIF. This increase translates into an additional $1 billion in funding over the next five years, starting in 2021-22, or an additional $200 million in funding annually over those five years. This includes critical projects like road repairs in Sarnia, Georgina and Haldimand County as well as upgrades to water treatment plants in Tay Township, Blind River and Dryden.

In addition, the minimum funding per eligible municipality each year increased from $50,000 to $100,000. This means all eligible municipalities and Local Services Boards that would have received less than $100,000 in the past will now receive at least that amount in each of the next five years. The multi-year funding that is being delivered through OCIF takes the current global pandemic situation into consideration to ensure that municipalities have access to stable funding to address local and critical infrastructure needs. This new investment will help small, rural and northern communities ensure their infrastructure is safer and more reliable, while also supporting economic growth and creating local jobs.

Building better faster

Modernizing infrastructure delivery through innovative procurement

By modernizing infrastructure procurement practices, the Province is building better and faster than ever before. In addition to traditional procurement methods where the Province designs the project in-house or through a private contractor and then contracts a private developer to build the project, the Ontario government uses multiple strategic approaches best suited to deliver projects across the province. These include a spectrum of delivery methods via Public-Private Partnerships (P3s), where one contractor designs, builds and finances the project, as well as other innovative approaches and strategies such as the progressive procurement strategy to accelerate procurement and delivery.

Infrastructure Ontario (IO), a world-class agency that creates a connected, modern and competitive Ontario, delivers P3 projects for the province. IO, under the oversight of the Ministry of Infrastructure, is at the forefront of implementing these innovative procurement models and approaches. More than 65 foreign governments and international agencies have consulted with IO to draw upon its expertise and best practices. Since IO was established, it has brought over 130 P3 major projects to market. The most recent review of the portfolio noted that, of the 74 projects completed since the start of IO's P3 program, 95 per cent were completed on-budget and 81 per cent were completed within three months of the substantial completion date.

However, as major infrastructure projects become larger and increasingly complex, there have been necessary shifts in the infrastructure sector’s market capacity and risk tolerance.

In response, the Province continues to make improvements to its delivery models by adapting to the changing market and engaging with the private sector. For example, through IO, the Province:

• deployed the Rapid Infrastructure Delivery Model (RIDM) in response to the COVID‑19 pandemic, to rapidly procure construction services and deliver key priority infrastructure projects in the health sector
• expanded the P3 procurement toolkit by adopting the Alliance contracting model to align public and private objectives by letting the two better share the project risks
• modified the procurement strategy for the Province’s priority subway projects, such as the Ontario Line and Scarborough Subway Extension, by separating the scope of the broader project into smaller work packages to generate more market interest from a wider pool of potential construction teams
• modified the procurement model for the GO Rail Expansion OnCorridor project to address concerns around construction and payment risks
• launched an innovative, two-stage procurement process to help achieve 100 per cent access to high-speed internet connectivity
• developed a new Progressive P3 Procurement strategy that aims to attract more market competition, share project risks between the Province and the successful construction company, and foster collaboration to refine project requirements, design and pricing before the Province and the company enter into a final project agreement.

Unsolicited proposals: infrastructure | Ontario.ca

In October 2019, the Province launched its Unsolicited Proposals (USPs) Framework and online portal to provide a clear path for the industry to share infrastructure proposals the government might not have otherwise developed on its own.

USP participants benefit from a clear and transparent process for submitting infrastructure proposals to the government that have not been requested through an existing procurement.

Ontario will move forward with infrastructure USPs that align with the government’s priorities and provide clear benefits to the people of Ontario. If the government proceeds with an unsolicited proposal, we will design a transaction and procurement that is best suited to delivering the project and protecting the public interest. Other than in exceptional circumstances, the government will seek to ensure any procurement arising through the USP program features competitive tension.

Transit-oriented communities

Transit-oriented communities (TOC) are part of the government’s plan to build new, sustainable transit. TOC will enhance Ontario’s “New Subway Transit Plan for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)” by placing more housing and jobs near or at transit stations along the routes of the Province’s four priority subway projects. This will increase transit ridership and reduce traffic congestion. The Province is also creating partnerships to deliver TOCs at new and existing GO/LRT transit stations.

TOC is about rethinking the relationship between transit, housing, commercial and recreational spaces to create vibrant, connected communities. The TOC program allows the Province to leverage third-party investment, explore new funding avenues and find opportunities to deliver cost-efficient transit solutions for commuters. The program helps the Province build strategic partnerships that will get projects built while maximizing the impact of precious taxpayer dollars.

This program for the priority subway projects, including the Ontario Line, the Yonge North Subway Extension, the Scarborough Subway Extension and the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, will be accelerated as Ontario works to build transit faster.

TOC will increase ridership, reduce congestion and increase the supply of a mix of housing options, while creating jobs and stimulating economic growth in the years following COVID‑19.

Accelerating construction

The government introduced the Building Transit Faster Act, 2020 and the COVID‑19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020 to accelerate infrastructure construction while putting measures in place to protect the health and safety of construction workers as they continue building critical infrastructure across the province.

The Building Transit Faster Act, 2020 enables the Province to expedite progress on the five priority transit projects: the Ontario Line, the Scarborough Subway Extension, the Yonge North Subway Extension, Eglinton Crosstown West Extension and the Hamilton LRT. The COVID‑19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020 introduced legislative changes intended to streamline planning and approvals processes and remove potential roadblocks to construction, including infrastructure projects. These measures streamlined processes and will enable more timely construction of vibrant communities around priority transit stations, such as through the TOC program.

Similarly, through the Supporting Broadband and Infrastructure Expansion Act, 2021, Ontario is making it easier for internet service providers to deploy the necessary infrastructure that brings high-speed internet services to homes and businesses. This was supported by Technical Guidelines and a Statement of Intent, which outlined proposed additional legislative enhancements and was shared with all broadband partners in November 2021. These tools, along with legislative enhancements if passed by the Legislature, help create a collaborative environment and streamline processes so that all partners can work together to provide faster access to reliable, high-speed internet.

Going forward

Building Ontario: Getting Shovels in the Ground highlights key infrastructure accomplishments and priorities for the future. The Province is making significant investments in transit, highway rehabilitation and expansion, hospital construction and renovations, improved ventilation in schools and high-speed internet access across the province. The government has shown its commitment to developing and maintaining infrastructure across the province and a commitment to getting shovels in the ground.

And the government is not stopping there. Through the capital plan, with over $148 billion in infrastructure investments planned for the next decade, the government is making it easier for people to get to where they need to go safely and efficiently, and for businesses to get their goods to market more quickly. In addition, this plan ensures that the services that Ontarians rely on, including health care, education, justice and others, are supported by infrastructure that supports both quality of life and Ontario’s economy.

Going forward, the Province will continue to make the right investments in the right place at the right time to deliver effective and resilient infrastructure for the people of Ontario.

The Province must ensure that our investments are informed by data and evidence related to the value that infrastructure assets deliver to Ontarians. Ontario is becoming a leader by collecting and using data across government on our infrastructure to inform and maximize the value of provincial investments. This will help to ensure that investment decisions are informed by their impacts on satisfying long-term demand, boosting productivity, minimizing life-cycle costs through timely renewal investment, improving resilience and measuring outcomes more generally.

Given the magnitude of Ontario’s infrastructure requirements, the Province needs the federal government to be a strong partner. For example, extreme weather events across Canada have demonstrated the significant impact that the changing climate can have on public infrastructure. Additional federal funding would help provide the stable, predictable infrastructure dollars for communities to address their renewal needs, adapt to a changing climate and set them on a path towards economic recovery and growth.

Having identified our infrastructure needs and investment priorities, the Province must make sure that shovels are in the ground on new construction as soon as possible. Ontario continues to look for new and innovative ways to expedite building, so that the Province can provide more services to the public, and to modernize procurement practices so that we can shift and adapt with the changing market.

Ultimately, the Province is hard at work building and maintaining our public infrastructure, not just for today but for the future. We are working to ensure Ontarians are connected to the people, businesses, and services that we need, and we will continue to do this work. Our work is not done, and we are committed to ensuring that we are building a stronger Ontario for today, and for generations to come. Through our commitment to public infrastructure and our commitment to all Ontarians, we will continue to Build Ontario.