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Results-based Plan Briefing Book 2011-12

This document is available in pdf format.

Contents

Ministry Overview

Appendix: 2010-11 Annual Report

Ministry Overview

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Vision

The Ministry of Infrastructure (MOI) works with many partners inside and outside government to modernize public infrastructure and encourage the kind of growth and environmental stewardship that enhances our quality of life and contributes to our economic success.

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Mission/Mandate

MOI is the central agency responsible for planning infrastructure, managing sustainable growth and setting capital priorities - in collaboration with other ministries and in consultation with municipalities, stakeholders and the public. The ministry is also responsible for developing strategic realty policy and effectively managing and deploying significant government-owned realty assets. Additionally, MOI develops and manages effective asset management policies and programs for land use and accommodation, and for infrastructure financing, including alternative financing and procurement (AFP).

The ministry has legislative responsibility for Infrastructure Ontario and Ontario Realty Corporation. Pending legislative approval, these two agencies will be merged into one with an end-to-end realty and infrastructure delivery mandate. MOI also has oversight for Waterfront Toronto, in partnership with the federal government and the City of Toronto.

A top priority is modernizing public infrastructure to support economic prosperity and help Ontario communities achieve a high quality of life. The ministry is currently developing a new ten-year plan for infrastructure that will support the Open Ontario Plan to create jobs and new opportunities for growth.

The ministry is also responsible for the Places to Grow initiative, and is currently implementing growth plans in two regions of the province, the Greater Golden Horseshoe and Northern Ontario. Through legislation and co-ordination with other ministries, MOI is helping these two regions and other parts of the province grow in a way that supports economic prosperity, protects the environment and helps communities achieve a high quality of life.

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Ministry Initiatives

The Ministry of Infrastructure is committed to building and enhancing policies and programs in the following key areas:

Infrastructure and Growth Planning

The ministry develops and coordinates the implementation of sound infrastructure strategies for the Province. This includes central agency management of the provincial capital planning process and budget development. The ministry also leads negotiations with the federal government on new cost-shared infrastructure programs, as well as leading the implementation of an asset management framework for the government. It provides infrastructure economics and financial advice and analysis, along with expertise on water economics and infrastructure development.

The ministry provides leadership in the development and implementation of the government's province-wide growth management policy under the Places to Grow Act, 2005. This initiative includes creating and implementing regional growth plans, consulting with local governments, Aboriginal communities, the public and other key stakeholders and facilitating the alignment of government policy and funding across multiple ministries to support the implementation of the growth plans.

Key delivery agencies:

Realty Development and Management

The ministry has integrated responsibility for the strategic asset realty planning, policy development and management of a portfolio encompassing approximately one million acres of land held throughout Ontario. It is also responsible for acquiring, disposing and using realty assets, as well as governing and overseeing its delivery agent, the Ontario Realty Corporation (ORC).

In this role, the ministry provides expert real estate advice and service to support Ontario's policy and program objectives in addition to working with other Ontario ministries and agencies to support their land use, property management and accommodation needs. Today, the ministry is achieving a number of Ontario's environmental and policy objectives through its effective management of realty assets, value optimization of existing realty assets, and the provision of adequate and appropriate workspace for Ontario public servants.

Key agency:

The Ministry of Finance (on behalf of the Ministry of Infrastructure) has proposed legislation which would, if passed, combine three agencies, including Infrastructure Ontario, the Ontario Realty Corporation, and Stadium Corporation of Ontario Limited, into a New Agency, the Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation. The consolidation of these agencies will align and improve performance and operations in the delivery of infrastructure projects and realty services. At this time, the New Agency is anticipated to come into effect in Spring / Summer 2011-12, if the legislation is passed by the Legislature.

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Priorities and Results

The ministry supports the government's long-term priorities of economic prosperity, environmental stewardship and sustainable communities.

To meet these priorities, the ministry is focused on three key deliverables:

Infrastructure Renewal and the Ten-Year Infrastructure Plan

Revitalizing the province's aging infrastructure is critical to providing a better quality of life for all Ontarians, while protecting the environment and precious natural resources. Investing in public infrastructure–hospitals, schools, highways and water systems–is a priority for meeting the needs of Ontario's growing population in the 21st century.

By the end of 2010-11, Ontario will have invested $62 billion in infrastructure since 2003, created and preserved more than 80,000 jobs on average per year, built more than 400 new schools, started or completed construction on more than 100 major hospital projects, and expanded or rehabilitated more than 5,500 kilometres of highways. This includes the five-year, $30-billion ReNew Ontario investment plan, which was completed in 2008-09, one year ahead of schedule. The ReNew Ontario plan positioned the province as a leader in the modernization of public infrastructure.

As part of the government's two year economic stimulus initiative, the Province invested $26 billion in 2009-10 and 2010-11. These investments have been timely and targeted, and have stimulated the province's economy when it needed it the most.

Building on the success of ReNew Ontario and stimulus investments, the ministry is working to develop a new ten-year infrastructure plan, which will be launched in 2011. This plan will identify long-term priorities, foster innovation, and create jobs and new opportunities for growth. Since August 2010, the ministry has heard from stakeholders throughout the province about Ontario's infrastructure needs and priorities. The ministry will draw on this input and analysis as it works to develop the ten-year infrastructure plan.

In the 2011 Budget, Ontario indicated its intent to continue investing in infrastructure.

To support government priorities the ministry remains committed in 2011-12 to:

Water and Wastewater

The province is providing up to $50 million in capital funding to help small communities improve water conservation and efficiency in their water and wastewater systems through the third phase of the Ontario Small Waterworks Assistance Program. The application period for the first intake of this program closed on February 15, 2011, and an announcement on successful projects is expected later this spring.

Waterfront Development

Toronto and the Golden Horseshoe region were chosen to host the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. The Games will give Ontario's economy a boost by creating thousands of construction jobs and stimulating tourism in the host communities.

Infrastructure Ontario (IO) has been assigned as the project manager for the Athletes' Village. It will be built in the West Don Lands, an 80-acre parcel of predominantly provincially owned land east of Toronto's downtown core, along the western bank of the Don River. The Athletes' Village will be made up of a combination of new permanent residential construction and temporary, modular facilities that will be set up for the duration of the Games.

Choosing West Don Lands for the Athletes' Village achieves multiple provincial priorities including affordable housing, brownfield redevelopment and tangible progress on waterfront revitalization. Development of the West Don Lands is already underway through the tri-government Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative. The Ontario Realty Corporation is also playing an important role in the redevelopment of the West Don Lands and is working closely with Waterfront Toronto.

The Athletes' Village will be built using IO's Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP) process, in which the private sector assumes the risks related to cost overruns. IO and Waterfront Toronto issued a Request for Proposals in February 2011 to look for a partner to construct the Athletes' Village. The successful proponent is expected to be selected and announced in summer 2011.

Growth Planning

Over the next 25 years, Ontario will encounter diverse growth challenges. The Places to Grow Act, 2005 is the cornerstone of the government's initiative to manage growth in Ontario in ways that sustain a robust economy, preserve the environment and natural resources, and help communities grow and flourish. This legislation helps the government identify and designate growth plan areas and develop strategic growth plans for those communities. This is accomplished in discussion with local officials, stakeholders, residents, and other public groups.

Growth plans identify where and how growth should occur within a region, and help guide government investments. They set out policy directions and planning tools that work to achieve attractive, healthy communities and contribute to a more creative, connected and prosperous community fabric. More broadly, the Province's growth management policies and objectives can also be applicable to communities that are not specifically identified as growth plan areas.

In the Greater Golden Horseshoe, the challenge will be planning for a population increase of approximately four million people while continuing to attract investment. In Northern Ontario, the challenge is creating a sustainable economy that supports training, education and employment opportunities, and attracts people and investment.

Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe

With the approval of the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe 2006, in 2006, the government has provided overall leadership and guidance for growth over the next 25 years. It sets provincial priorities and provides clear, region-wide standards for growth and development, while giving communities the flexibility they need to address local circumstances.

In 2011-12, the ministry will continue to work with municipalities to achieve conformity with the Growth Plan, and will continue to work with partner ministries to achieve policy and planning alignment. The ministry will also continue its research and outreach activities that further the Province's growth planning objectives, along with other supporting efforts to implement the Growth Plan in partnership with municipalities and key stakeholders. In addition, 2011 marks the fifth anniversary of the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006 and the ministry will initiate a process to assess the Growth Plan's performance to date, and begin to inform the Growth Plan review, which must take place before 2016.

Strategic Vision for Simcoe

In June 2009, the province unveiled a strategy, called Simcoe Area: A Strategic Vision for Growth, to address the issues of urban sprawl, job creation and protection of the environment in the Simcoe area. The discussion paper outlined potential amendments to the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006. The Proposed Amendment was issued on October 28, 2010.

A goal in 2011-12 will be to finalize Amendment 1 to the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006 that contains policy tools and directions to help address Simcoe's complex growth challenges.

Growth Plan for Northern Ontario

In March 2011, the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario was released. Developed in partnership with the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry, with extensive engagement of diverse partners, the 25-year plan will help create stronger, more diverse and sustainable northern communities.

The Growth Plan will help attract people and investments to the region, support training, education and employment opportunities, create a highly qualified workforce and position the northern economy to compete on a global scale.

In 2011-12 the focus will be on the Growth Plan's implementation. Key activities for MOI will include:

Realty Development and Management

The effective management of the government's realty assets is a prime responsibility for the ministry. In addition to ensuring major infrastructure projects deliver value for money, this commitment includes effective management of the ministry's real estate portfolio and ensures the advancement of public policy and program delivery through use of realty assets. The portfolio today consists of approximately 49 million square feet of space in 6,319 buildings and structures – ranging from detention centres to office space, courthouses, sheds and heritage buildings – and over one million acres of land.

The ministry and Ontario Realty Corporation are committed to be leaders in sustainability, specifically in the sustainable management of Ontario's real estate portfolio.

Ministry-owned land is a valued asset that can be used for government programs or, when it is no longer required, can be sold to meet local or other government interests with proceeds going to the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

The government is committed to making the best use of, and obtaining fair market value for its real estate assets. Before properties are put up for sale, a stringent review process determines if they serve useful purposes in meeting government program and policy objectives. Only those identified as surplus assets are listed for sale.

The disposition of properties is part of a broader, long-term strategy set out by the government to manage the province's real estate assets in the most efficient and effective manner. To implement the strategy, the ORC develops an annual sales plan for the disposition of surplus property and follows a streamlined disposition process for optimal results.

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Ministry Contribution to Key Priorities and Results

The Ministry of Infrastructure manages government policy and initiatives leading to revitalized public infrastructure that enhances economic competitiveness, protects the environment, builds sustainable communities and effectively manages the province's real estate assets.

Priorities Economic prosperity Environmental stewardship Sustainable Communities
Results
  • Diversified, competitive business environment
  • New clean economy and jobs
  • Climate protection
  • Cleaner air
  • Preservation of natural resources
  • Strong, vibrant and prosperous communities for generations to come
  • High standard of living for citizens
Strategies
  • Invest in infrastructure that will increase economic output, maximize job creation, and spur economic development.
  • Develop and implement long-term strategic plans for growth, to help inform and guide infrastructure and service delivery decisions.
  • Manage growth and development in a smart and environmentally sustainable way
  • Ensure public infrastructure incorporates principles of environmental design
  • Revitalize public infrastructure
  • Empower communities
  • Manage real estate assets to ensure value for money and maximize benefit to the public
  • Align land use planning and infrastructure investments
Deliverables Infrastructure renewal and growth planning initiatives
Key Initiatives
  • Investing in hospitals, educational institutions and transportation
  • Investing in water and wastewater systems and other municipal renewal projects
  • Shared federal-provincial funding
  • Innovative financing model
  • Growth plans for:
    • Greater Golden Horseshoe
    • Northern Ontario
  • Public and stakeholder engagement including youth
  • Engaging Aboriginal communities
  • Strategic real estate management
Measures
  • Working with federal government partners to renew and modernize aging infrastructure
  • Urban growth centre (UGC) densities (people + jobs per hectare)
  • Reduction of electricity usage in government-owned buildings
  • Timely implementation of the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative

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Highlights of Achievements

The ministry continues to create and deliver key initiatives in support of the government's long-term priorities of economic prosperity, environmental stewardship and sustainable communities.

In 2011, the ministry will focus on the continued revitalization and renewal of public infrastructure and implementation of growth plans. Priorities include rolling-out the new ten-year infrastructure plan, finalizing a strategic vision for growth in the Simcoe area, supporting municipal implementation of the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006 and implementing the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario, 2011.

Infrastructure Renewal

Public infrastructure investments create jobs and provide significant economic benefits over the longer term. Ontario has made large infrastructure investments in key sectors, including education, health, transportation and justice. Key achievements include:

Infrastructure stimulus investments are helping to drive economic growth in Ontario over the short and long term. As part of the government's two-year economic stimulus initiative, the province invested $26 billion in 2009-10 and 2010-11. As well, $493 million in infrastructure stimulus funding has been re-allocated for fiscal 2011-12 (originally allocated for 2010-11 fiscal), so project proponents that were granted an extension can complete their projects in 2011. This includes:

Some of the province's infrastructure projects are also being funded through innovative investment strategies and the made-in-Ontario approach known as Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP). Managed by Infrastructure Ontario, the AFP model leverages private sector expertise and resources to rebuild some of the province's larger, more complex infrastructure projects, while ensuring appropriate public control and ownership.

Since 2005, Infrastructure Ontario has brought more than 50 projects to the market, worth close to $21 billion in capital construction. Seventeen projects have already been completed and 24 projects are currently under construction. It is estimated that the completed projects will generate more than $400 million in value for money compared to traditional procurement.

Ten-Year Infrastructure Plan

In its 2011 Budget, the province continues to build on its substantial commitments to public infrastructure. Over the next three years, Ontario plans to invest more than $35 billion, including $12.8 billion in 2011-12. These investments are expected to create and preserve over 300,000 jobs.

The plan will identify long-term priorities, foster innovation, and create jobs and new opportunities for growth. Since August 2010, the ministry has heard from stakeholders throughout the province about Ontario's infrastructure needs and priorities. The ministry will draw on this input and analysis as it works to develop the ten-year infrastructure plan.

Toronto Accommodation Plan

Through its agency, the Ontario Realty Corporation, MOI is committed to managing Ontario's public real estate portfolio in a way that is both fiscally responsible, and environmentally sustainable.

The 2010 Budget announced that to help manage spending over the coming years, the government will delay some investments in government office space by five years, resulting in savings of over $1.4 billion. MOI has worked with the ORC to implement a strategy to deal with the reduced funding, while honouring program commitments.

ORC projects now underway include the following:

Growth Planning

Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006 Conformity

To support implementation of the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006, Ontario is investing in infrastructure across the region. Ministry staff are working closely with various development partners and stakeholders, as well as municipalities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe to bring their official plans into conformity with the Growth Plan. To date, all upper and single-tier municipalities have adopted official plan amendments to conform to the Growth Plan. Nearly 44% of lower-tier municipalities have adopted similar amendments, and the province expects the rest to follow suit soon.

The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006 sets out specific policies to:

Strategic Vision for Simcoe

In June 2009, the province unveiled a strategy, Simcoe Area: A Strategic Vision for Growth, to address the issues of urban sprawl, job creation and protection of the environment in the Simcoe area. The discussion paper outlined potential amendments to the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006.

In October 2010, the government released the Proposed Amendment 1 to the Growth Plan. This proposed amendment provides more specific direction to the Simcoe area, addressing its complex growth challenges. Following feedback from extensive public and stakeholder consultations, the government has asked the Provincial Development Facilitator to carry out additional scoped consultations with municipalities and provide recommendations.

Growth Plan for Northern Ontario

Since 2007, the ministry, in partnership with the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry worked closely with Northern Ontario residents, youth, Aboriginal peoples, community leaders, business, industry and other experts to develop the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario, 2011.

Significant input from the community was a cornerstone of the plan's development, with 1,400 Northerners participating in public meetings, video-conferences and webinars in 45 diverse communities on the Proposed Growth Plan. The province received hundreds of submissions from individuals, municipalities, educational institutions, and industry and community organizations across Northern Ontario. There was also extensive Aboriginal outreach and engagement.

On March 4, 2011, the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario, 2011 was released, which will help guide decision-making and investments in the North over the next 25 years. It aims to strengthen Northern Ontario by:

In 2011-12 the focus will be on the Growth Plan's implementation. Key activities for MOI will include:

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Ministry Organizational Chart


As of April 6, 2011


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Legislation

The following is a list of the legislation for which the Ministry of Infrastructure has primary legislative or administrative responsibility.

Statutes Administered by MOI:

  1. Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 28
  2. Places to Grow Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 13
  3. Ontario Infrastructure Projects Corporation Act, 2006, S.O. 2006, c. 9, Sched. I*
  4. Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M. 23*
    • In respect of infrastructure and growth planning matters
  5. Capital Investment Plan Act, 1993, S.O. 1993, c. 23**
    • In respect of the Ontario Realty Corporation
  6. Electricity Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c. 15, Sched. A**
    • In respect of Part IX.1
  7. Green Energy Act, 2009, S.O. 2009, c. 12, Sched. A**
    • In respect of section 10 and in respect of subsection 8 (2) which is shared with the Minister of Energy
  8. Ministry of Government Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M. 25**
    • In respect of the Ontario Realty Corporation and real property matters

MOI authority over particular sections of statutes:

  1. Education Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E. 2 and R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, ss. 18(k)
    • In respect of the powers and duties of the Ministry of Government Services described in subsection 18(k)
  2. Environmental Assessment Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E. 18, and R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 334, s. 7
    • In respect of the power of the Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet to carry out an undertaking referred to in section 7 of the Regulations
  3. Conservation Authorities Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C. 27, s. 32**
    • In respect of the powers and duties of the Minister of Government Services described in section 32.
  4. Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 41, s. 81**
    • In respect of the powers of the Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet, described in section 81, regarding agreements for the acquisition of land.
  5. Public Lands Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P. 43, ss. 46(2)**
    • In respect of powers of the Minister of Government Services described in subsection 46(2).
  6. Registry Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. R. 20, s. 114**
    • In respect of the powers and duties of the Minister of Government Services described in section 114.
  7. Surveys Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. S. 30, s. 61**
    • In respect of the powers of the Minister of Government Services described in section 61 regarding the installation of survey monuments on lands.

*There is currently a Bill before the Legislature that is proposing to repeal the Ontario Infrastructure Projects Corporation Act and replace it with the Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation Act, 2011. The same Bill is also proposing to repeal the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure Act and replace it with a Ministry of Infrastructure Act, 2011.

**There is currently a Bill before the Legislature that is proposing to amend this piece of legislation.

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Agencies, Boards and Commissions (ABCs)

Agencies that report to the Ministry Infrastructure and their financial data:

Infrastructure Ontario

Infrastructure Ontario (IO) is a Crown corporation dedicated to the renewal of the province's hospitals, courthouses, and other essential public assets. Ensuring appropriate public control and ownership, Infrastructure Ontario uses alternative financing and procurement to rebuild vital infrastructure, on time and on budget.

Infrastructure Ontario also provides Ontario municipalities, universities and other public bodies with access to affordable loans to build and renew local public infrastructure.

$ 2011-12
Operating 327,500,000
Capital (302,583,000)
Total 24,917,000
Ontario Realty Corporation

Ontario Realty Corporation (ORC) provides management services for the Ministry of Infrastructure’s real estate portfolio, one of the largest real estate portfolios in Canada. The portfolio includes a wide variety of properties, ranging from detention centres to office space, courthouses and heritage buildings, and land holdings across the province.

ORC provides sustainable, enterprise-wide real estate solutions for the Ontario public service, allowing efficient and effective delivery of government programs to the public. ORC optimizes the value of the Ministry of Infrastructure’s real estate portfolio and provides cost-effective solutions.

$ 2011-12
Operating 271,132,000
Capital* (1,110,754,000)
Total (839,622,000)

*Mainly due to reversals of expenses booked by ministries for capital projects in order to set up capital assets in Province’s accounts.

Government Organizations

The Ministry of Infrastructure has oversight of one government organization, the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation that is consolidated onto the ministry’s financial records:

Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation

The Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation (Waterfront Toronto) was established by the federal government, the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto to transform underutilized industrial lands along Toronto’s waterfront into sustainable new communities, promote economic growth in knowledge-based creative industries, create parks and open spaces, and provide continuous waterfront access to the public.

Waterfront Toronto is responsible for developing and implementing a coordinated and comprehensive waterfront vision and in ensuring that the public and private sectors are engaged in revitalization efforts.

$ 2011-12
Operating 125,740,500
Capital (122,896,000)
Total 2,844,500
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Ministry Financial Information


Ministry Planned Expenditures 2011-12 ($M)
$ 2011-12
Operating 88.1
Capital 778.1
Total 866.2

Note:Totals do not include consolidation and Other Adjustments of ($862.9M)

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Appendix: 2010-11 Annual Report

2010-11 Annual Report

In 2010-11, the Ministry of Infrastructure (MOI) made significant progress in meeting three strategic priorities:

As a result, the ministry is supporting the kind of growth and environmental stewardship that will lead to economic prosperity, new jobs and sustainable communities for Ontarians, present and future.

Major Accomplishments

Ten-Year Infrastructure Plan

Ontario has invested $62 billion in infrastructure since 2003 including the $30 billion ReNew Ontario Plan and $26 billion in stimulus investments. These investments are creating and preserving more than 80,000 jobs on average per year.

The government will build on these record investments by releasing a new ten-year infrastructure plan in 2011. The plan will identify long-term priorities, foster innovation, and create jobs. This will help boost productivity, support economic growth, improve public services and enhance the quality of life for Ontarians.

Since August 2010, the ministry has heard from stakeholders throughout the province about Ontario’s infrastructure needs and priorities. The ministry will draw on this input and analysis as it works to develop the ten-year infrastructure plan.

As announced in the 2011 Budget, over the next three years, Ontario plans to invest more than $35 billion in infrastructure, including $12.8 billion in 2011-12. These investments are expected to create and preserve over 300,000 jobs.

Infrastructure Stimulus Investments

Since 2009, nearly 10,000 stimulus projects have helped stimulate economic growth and benefited all regions of the province. Across Ontario, completed projects have improved facilities from roads and bridges to arenas and libraries. These projects are part of a record two-year investment of nearly $26 billion in Ontario's infrastructure. Since May 2009, Ontario has created 233,000 net new jobs, recovering 91% of the jobs lost during the recession. The government’s stimulus initiatives have contributed to that recovery.

Highlights include:

To provide qualifying proponents with one additional construction season to complete their projects, the provincial and federal governments extended the stimulus funding deadline to October 31, 2011. Virtually all stimulus projects are expected to be completed by the new October deadline.

During 2009-10 and 2010-11, cost-shared federal-provincial programs provided $5.2 billion in infrastructure stimulus investments. As well, $493 million in infrastructure stimulus funding has been re-allocated for fiscal 2011-12 (originally allocated for 2010-2011 fiscal), so project proponents that were granted an extension can complete their projects in 2011.

To provide greater transparency and accountability, the province launched a website that allows Ontarians to track the progress of infrastructure stimulus projects. The website, https://www.infrastructureapp.mei.gov.on.ca/en/, highlights the provincial contribution towards projects, tracks construction progress across Ontario and provides regular updates on new investments.

Growth Plan for Northern Ontario

Since 2007, the ministry has worked closely with inter-ministerial partners, northern communities, stakeholders and First Nations and Métis communities to develop the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario, 2011. The response from northerners on the Proposed Growth Plan was tremendous – both in content and in volume. More than 1,400 Northerners participated in public town hall meetings, video-conferences and webinars. Over 300 submissions were received via emails, online survey participation, and formal written submissions.

In March 2011, after one of the most extensive consultations in Northern Ontario’s history, including substantial outreach to Aboriginal communities, the province released the final Growth Plan. This Plan will help guide decision-making and investments in the North over the next 25 years. It aims to strengthen Northern Ontario by:

While the province continues to work on the long-term implementation of the Growth Plan, it has already made key financial investments to support this strategic initiative. Measures in the Province’s five-year Open Ontario Plan to strengthen the economy and create more jobs in Northern Ontario include:

The government also committed in the 2011 Budget an additional $10 million for the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, which will bring NOHFC’s annual spending up to $100 million. These funds can help advance the priority directions of the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario, 2011. The budget also committed to investments of $618 million in 2011-12 to northern highways, and to new post-secondary education spaces, which will help northern communities attract and retain skilled young people.

Ontario Small Waterworks Assistance Program

In August 2007, the province launched the Ontario Small Waterworks Assistance Program (OSWAP) to help small rural and Northern communities who have been struggling to keep up with increasing operating costs and investments in water infrastructure. Through the first two phases of the program, $20 million in operating assistance is being provided to 166 communities that provide water services to 5,000 and fewer residents. These communities will receive their last payment in early 2012.

The government launched the third phase of OSWAP in August 2010, which will provide $50 million in capital funding over the next four years to help small communities. The program will result in a total investment of up to $75 million, based on a cost-sharing formula of two-thirds provincial funding and one-third municipal funding. The application period for the first intake closed on February 15, 2011, and an announcement on successful projects is expected later this spring.

Investing in clean and safe drinking water for communities is an important element of the government’s Open Ontario plan. The third phase of OSWAP also builds upon the Water Opportunities Act, 2010 by linking water and wastewater infrastructure grants to tangible improvements in conservation and efficiency.

Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe Conformity

The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006, is helping to build strong, sustainable communities that are great places to live, work and play. The Growth Plan directs future growth in a way that supports a robust economy, makes efficient use of infrastructure, and reduces development pressure on important agricultural lands. It sets clear, region-wide standards for growth and development, while giving communities the flexibility they need to address local circumstances. More recently, ministry staff have initiated a review of the region’s population and employment forecasts, and the development of a set of Growth Plan implementation performance measures.

Over the past year, ministry staff have collaborated with municipalities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe to bring their official plans into conformity with the Growth Plan, addressing conflicts between stakeholders and minimizing potential challenges at the Ontario Municipal Board. To date, all upper and single-tier municipalities have adopted official plan amendments to conform to the Growth Plan. Nearly 44% of lower-tier municipalities have adopted similar amendments, and the province expects the rest to follow suit soon.

Strategic Vision for Simcoe

To address the unique growth challenges of the Simcoe area, in October 2010 the government released the Proposed Amendment 1 to the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006. This proposed amendment provides more specific direction to the Simcoe area, addressing the issues of urban sprawl, job creation and environmental protection in the Simcoe area.

This proposed amendment will address the Simcoe area’s complex growth challenges by:

The ministry conducted extensive consultation sessions for residents, municipal staff and elected officials, and other stakeholders. Feedback was invited from the public on the Proposed Amendment until January 31, 2011. Based on the public and stakeholder input, the ministry has asked the Provincial Development Facilitator to carry out additional, scoped, consultations with Simcoe County and its lower-tier municipalities. The Facilitator will ensure a focused, streamlined process, and will provide the province with recommendations by November 1, 2011.

Toronto Accommodation Plan

The Toronto Accommodation Plan (TAP) was originally a 10- to 15-year initiative that aimed to retrofit, modernize or replace provincial government buildings located within the City of Toronto. First introduced in the 2009 Budget, TAP was intended to reduce the government’s carbon footprint, provide a workplace environment that was technologically progressive, address rising maintenance and repair costs of aging provincially owned real estate, and control costs due to increased dependence on rental accommodations.

The 2010 Provincial Budget announced that to help manage future spending, the government would delay some investments in government office space by five years. This will result in appropriation savings of over $1.4 billion. MOI, working with the Ontario Realty Corporation (ORC), will design a strategy to deal with the reduced funding, while honouring program commitments.

ORC projects now underway include the following:

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Ministry Interim Actual Expenditures 2010-11

Ministry Interim Actual Expenditures($M) 2010-11
Operating 88.2
Capital 304.8
Staff Strength (as of March 31, 2011) 142*

*The 2010-11 combined staff strength for the former Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure is 347. Interim actuals reflect the numbers presented in the 2011 Ontario Budget


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Ministry/Government Contact Information and Web Links

For more information on the Ministry of Infrastructure:
http://www.moi.gov.on.ca

For more information on Places to Grow:
http://www.placestogrow.ca/

For more information on the progress of infrastructure stimulus projects:
https://www.infrastructureapp.mei.gov.on.ca/en/

For more information on Infrastructure Ontario:
http://www.infrastructureontario.ca

For more information on Waterfront Toronto:
http://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/

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Glossary of Terms

AFP Alternative Financing and Procurement
COMRIF Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund
CSIF Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund
GEA Green Energy Act, 2009
IO Infrastructure Ontario
MOI Ministry of Infrastructure
mTCA Minor Tangible Capital Asset
OGS Ontario Growth Secretariat
OPS Ontario Public Service
ORC Ontario Realty Corporation
OSWAP Ontario Small Waterworks Assistance Program
RbP Results-based Plan
SREAM Strategic Real Estate Asset Management Division
TAP Toronto Accommodation Plan
UGC Urban Growth Centre

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