Infrastructure Ontario

“There is a direct economic link between investment in public infrastructure and the economy as a whole. Investing in public infrastructure is a key ingredient to a successful economy. The government is addressing the infrastructure deficit in a way that shifts risks away from the public sector and also maintains the high quality of public services.”

Derek Burleton, Associate Vice President and Director of Economic Studies
TD Financial Group Infrastructure Ontario is an arm’s length crown corporation dedicated to the renewal of the province’s hospitals, courthouses, roads, bridges, water systems and other public assets.  Using an Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP) model that ensures appropriate public control and ownership, Infrastructure Ontario uses private financing to strategically 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. 
 
The average age of Ontario’s infrastructure – and the continuing growth of its population – means that the province’s public infrastructure needs are some of the greatest in Canada. 

A study by the Ontario Hospital Association identified hospital infrastructure investment needs of $8 billion.

In his report entitled Ontario: a Leader in Learning, former premier Bob Rae recommended a $5 billion investment in post-secondary education facilities over the next 10 years. That number doesn’t even include elementary and secondary schools.

A 2005 report, Urban Transportation in Canada: Needs and Opportunities, showed Ontario ranking as the third-highest province in terms of per capita investment needs for roads and bridges.

To address this infrastructure deficit, the Government implemented ReNew Ontario 2005-2010, a $30 billion strategic investment plan to address a significant public infrastructure deficit and prepare for future growth.

Infrastructure Ontario is an essential component of the plan, ensuring that new infrastructure projects come in on time and on budget.

For larger, complex projects, the construction work is financed and carried out by the private sector, which is responsible for ensuring on-time and on-budget project completion. All infrastructure projects are guided by the five principles set out in the government’s Building a Better Tomorrow Framework:

• Public interest is paramount
• Value for money must be demonstrable
• Appropriate public control and ownership must be preserved
• Accountability must be maintained
• All processes must be fair, transparent and efficient.