Oct 10-06

ReNew Ontario Report Shows Real Results In Infrastructure Renewal

TORONTO — The McGuinty government’s plan to improve health care, education and build the infrastructure to support a strong Ontario economy has already yielded significant results, Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal David Caplan said today. 

“Our government is committed to providing a solid foundation for economic growth,” said Caplan. “I’m proud to say that our investments are already showing significant results in communities across the province.”

Released in May 2005, ReNew Ontario is the government’s five-year plan to invest more than $30 billion in rebuilding Ontario’s public infrastructure. With its partners, the province is repairing the neglect of the past and building now for future growth.

Through significant infrastructure investments, expected to exceed $11 billion over the first two years of the plan, the government is delivering better hospitals, schools, transit systems, border crossings, roads and bridges – all necessary for future growth and prosperity.

“All Ontarians are benefiting from the progress we’ve made. It’s exciting to see hundreds of schools being built and repaired; hospitals being expanded and improved; thousands of affordable housing units getting off the ground; and, public transit improvements being made right across the province,” said Caplan. 

“The OHA strongly applauds the leadership of the government in making such significant gains in the expansion of Ontario’s hospitals over this past year,” said Hilary Short, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Hospital Association. “The capital investments made will help expand access to public health care services in communities across the province, which is good news for the people of Ontario."       

“We congratulate the province on the success of the first year of ReNew Ontario. The transit investments under the government’s five-year, $30 billion plus infrastructure plan is making significant progress to addressing current and future transit infrastructure needs,” said Michael Roschlau, President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Urban Transit Association

“ORBA is encouraged by the first year of implementation of the province’s long-term infrastructure capital plan,” said Rob Bradford, Executive Director, Ontario Road Builders Association. “Capital planning allows contractors to better plan strategic asset locations, plant and equipment purchases and manpower recruitment and training requirements. This enhanced business planning ability will undoubtedly lead to savings for the taxpayer through greater efficiency of construction operations.”

The ReNew Ontario Progress Report 2006 highlights achievements in the first year of the government’s infrastructure investment plan. It is available on line at www.ontario.ca/pir.