Ottawa: Ontario government plans to invest $144 billion dollars in local projects across the province over the next 10 years.
“That includes over $90 billion alone in public transit and provincial highways to help get people and goods moving,” Premier Doug Ford said in his keynote address to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) 2019 Conference in Ottawa.
“We’ve nominated 350 projects to the federal government for key investments in transit, schools and hospitals, including 201 transit projects outside the GTHA (Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area), as well as 144 road and bridge projects for rural and northern Ontario communities,” he said.
One of the projects nominated by Durham Region is the GO Transit extension from Oshawa to Bowmanville.
The 10-year capital plan also includes $17 billion dollars to build and renovate hospitals, $13 billion dollars to build new schools, and $1.4 billion to fix existing ones, and $315 million to improve and expand Internet and cell service into more rural and remote communities.
Ford said Ontario will open up the intake for the Community, Culture and Recreation Stream on September 3rd of the federal Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
“This represents $1 billion dollars for important local projects, like community centres, sports arenas, and cultural centres,” he said adding “We’re giving you the time to prepare, and we’re really looking forward to receiving your applications in September.”
Inherited Debt
Doug Ford said the province inherited a massive debt and deficit from the previous government.
“Hallway health care, schools literally falling apart, overcrowded subways and buses, students failing math, and social services on life support…We can’t continue throwing money at the problem as our predecessors did…Instead, we’re going to work to build Ontario’s future together,” he said.
He said the current government established the Audit and Accountability Fund earlier this year.
“And I’m so excited to learn that 90% of you have taken up our offer for funding for line-by-line reviews…we offered this to school boards as well, but only two took us up…it’s disappointing,” he said
The reviews are a $7 million dollar investment to help school boards and large municipalities protect core public services for future generations.
Municipal Modernization Fund
Ontario has also set up the $200 million Municipal Modernization Fund to help 405 small and rural municipalities achieve efficiencies and plan for their future.
“Today, I’m so excited to announce to this room that we’re providing transitional funding for your budgeting process in 2020…so you can continue to deliver important services people rely on every day, including public health and child care.”
Ontario is also increasing funding for land ambulance services by nearly 4% this year…and it will continue to increase into 2020.
There will also be no changes to the structure of the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund for 2020.
Cutting Red Tape
“Red tape and too many regulations stand in the way of local communities focusing on the things that matter most – the frontline services people rely on every day. We’re tackling the mountain of annual provincial reporting requirements that you face – over 400 to be exact from 16 different ministries,” Ford told the AMO.
He said Ontario has identified 94 reports to be eliminated and 27 reports to be consolidated or simplified.
“And that’s just the start. We gave municipalities back your voice when it comes to hosting renewable energy projects…And why our government scrapped the awful Green Energy Act, one of the worst pieces of legislation ever, that stripped local communities of your voice in these planning decisions.
“Reducing red tape is also a big part of our Housing Supply Action Plan. This is one of my favourites…we eliminated a rule that required an environmental assessment before a municipality could plow its streets.
“Can you imagine having to get a permit from the government every time you wanted to shovel your driveway in the winter?” added the Premier.