March 2004

Remarks for the IFP Discussion Paper – Stakeholder Outreach Sessions
by David Caplan, Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal

Check Against Delivery

Hello everyone. Thank you, Bill, for the introduction.

This is one of seven stakeholder sessions that my ministry is holding across the Province to help us develop new guidelines for selecting the best financing and procurement options for public infrastructure.

Past governments have neglected Ontario’s infrastructure needs. Throughout Ontario, key public infrastructure is aging, just like the baby-boom generation it was built to serve. Over the years, roads, bridges, water and sewage services, and public buildings such as hospitals, schools and arenas, have deteriorated.

In many communities, pressing needs for new infrastructure have not been addressed. In addition to poor planning and management, irresponsible tax cuts have reduced revenue supplies for investments in infrastructure renewal.

The McGuinty government inherited both an infrastructure deficit and a financial deficit. We are now engaging Ontarians in how to deal with both of these serious issues.

Yes, we have an infrastructure challenge. Yes, we have a deficit challenge. Yes, we have an investment challenge. But we also have a unique opportunity to work together on new and innovative ways of doing things, and building on existing partnerships. We need to roll up our sleeves and, together, get on with the job.

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal has begun the task of developing a 10-year strategy for renewing public infrastructure in Ontario. It will take time. We’re looking at doing this strategically, step by step.

One of the steps we plan to take soon is to discuss the best way to implement a long-rage cost-sharing program with the Federal government, and determine such things as the right balance between investing in growth and renewal. With the benefit of your expertise and advice, we can hopefully get the money flowing quickly.

Our meeting today represents the first step in the long-overdue task of rebuilding Ontario for a better tomorrow.

My colleagues and I are here to make sure that the Ontario government gets the best advice available from stakeholders and sector experts. We are here to find out how together we can lay down part of the foundation that will help direct our long-term plan, as we look at financing and delivery.

And as we proceed, we fully intend to adhere to the five key principles relating to appropriate public control and/or ownership, value for money, and transparency and openness.

We know that modern and efficient public infrastructure is essential to the delivery of quality public services, economic growth and our quality of life.

I’m told that the net value of public infrastructure in Ontario is more than $240 billion. That huge dollar value explains in part why the infrastructure issue has been left on the backburner. Public infrastructure is extremely expensive to build, maintain and upgrade.

We certainly could never afford to replace all of it. That’s why we need a sound long-term plan that deals strategically with infrastructure investment and renewal.

And that’s why we need to work with our federal and municipal partners on a long-range plan that addresses needs, priorities and dollar allocation.

It’s the job of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal to provide the necessary planning and coordination to ensure that government investment in public infrastructure is strategic and provides good value to the people of Ontario.

As the Premier has said, we are delivering real, positive change to the people of Ontario.

But in the end, Ontario’s public infrastructure is everyone’s business – all levels of government, all stakeholders, all communities.

I am confident that his process will lead to increased cooperation – to a new era of working constructively together.

Thank you for being here and have a great day!