June 23, 2005
Remarks to the 2005 Reurbanization Conference - Walper Terrace Hotel
by David Caplan, Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal
Check Against Delivery.
I’m delighted to be back in Kitchener – and to take part in this important event on reurbanization and the opportunities it presents for the cities of Waterloo Region.
Infill, intensification and brownfield revitalization are indeed the wave of the future – not only for Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge – but for communities all across Ontario.
Our government is spearheading a shift to responsible growth that improves the pattern and character of our communities – And promotes the quality of life Ontarians expect and deserve.
This shift originates with the ministry that I’m privileged to lead. Permit me to begin this morning with a brief overview of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal.
Premier McGuinty created the ministry soon after being sworn in by the Lieutenant Governor.
He did so in clear understanding of the importance of public infrastructure to our province.
Former governments had allowed our vital public amenities to fall into disrepair.
Our premier knew that a strong, successful Ontario was contingent upon reliable, efficient and affordable infrastructure that would allow our citizens, our economy, our communities to thrive –
- Transit is high on the list,
- Modern, safe schools for our children,
- Up-to-date hospitals,
- Universities and colleges that lead the way in research and innovation,
- Choice in housing,
- Water and sewer lines that protect public health,
- Roads and highways.
The Ministry was set up to plan and coordinate the massive capital investments required to renew and rebuild Ontario’s public infrastructure.
More than that – it was created to coordinate growth management.
Ontario is on course to grow dramatically over the next 30 years.
By 2031, the population of this province is expected to increase by over 4 million people. The Golden Horseshoe alone is projected to grow by 2 million new jobs.
As one of Ontario’s most vital areas, Waterloo Region can expect to benefit significantly from this growth.
The population could reach 755,000 by 2031 and attract an additional 380,000 jobs over that same time frame.
Our government’s goal – for this region and the entire province – is to make the best use of land in accommodating this growth.
Our vision lies in pulling together in an unprecedented manner, traditionally diverse decisions on infrastructure investment, planning policy and environmental protection in a comprehensive way.
Our commitment is that now, 30 years from now, and beyond –
Ontarians will enjoy strong communities, a clean and healthy environment, a prosperous economy, and an outstanding quality of life.
* * * * *
One critical step locked into place on June 13th when the Places to Grow Act became law.
This legislation enables the government to designate growth areas in Ontario, and develop long-term plans that outline how and where these areas should grow.
Our initial focus will be a growth plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Once in place, this plan will provide municipalities with clear direction from the province on how growth will occur.
As you know, the Greater Golden Horseshoe is the economic engine of Ontario and this country.
It is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in North America. It will attract the vast majority of new residents over the next 30 years. And it is mandatory that it grows in a strategic and coordinated fashion to ensure a better future for all.
Our government is committed to a long-term vision of this region to ensure its continued prosperity and success.
We see thriving urban centres and idyllic smaller towns – liveable, walkable, transit supportive communities that meet every need.
We see a vibrant economy – with competitive businesses that bustle with innovation; creating well-paying jobs and investment; and attracting the highly-skilled workers that propel our economic growth and strength.
We see safe streets, clean air, safe water, congestion-free roads plenty of parks, trails and farmland …easy access to food, shelter, education and health care facilities, not to mention arts and recreation.
I know Waterloo Region fully understands the importance of all these elements.
This region has done excellent work in managing its own growth.
CAO Mike Murray served on the Central Ontario Smart Growth Panel whose work was an integral part of the genesis of the Greater Golden Horseshoe plan.
And Ken Seiling has been a strong voice on behalf of the region in the development of the growth plan.
Currently, my ministry is reviewing all comments on the plan, and we hope to have it finalized by the end of the year.
To achieve the ambitious goals we are setting, the plan identifies 25 Urban Growth Centres that have the capacity to accommodate new growth and can benefit from revitalization.
Waterloo Region is home to three: Downtown Kitchener, Uptown Waterloo and Downtown Cambridge.
These centres are well positioned to build on current strengths and perform as increasingly strong urban centres in the future.
Of course, the question I most often hear is: How will the proposed plan impact on my community?
And the answer is: In fundamentally positive ways.
The growth plan will steer development to where it can best be accommodated, and away from lands that provide food, water and recreation.
You are likely aware of the 1.8 million acre greenbelt recently established by our government – and which sweeps around the Golden Horseshoe.
This greenbelt protects the farmlands, environmentally sensitive lands and open space that mean so much to healthy communities, yet which had been fast disappearing in an onslaught of urban sprawl.
The growth plan complements the protected areas of the greenbelt, by setting out where and how we do want growth to occur.
It emphasizes intensification, reinvestment and revitalization to existing built up areas.
I believe Brad Graham from my ministry talked more fully about this yesterday.
For instance, regional governments will be asked to have 40 out of every 100 new residential units built within the existing urban built boundaries by 2015.
This is not unreasonable. Research in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and British Columbia confirm Ontario’s 40 per cent intensification target is modest and very realistic. As we develop the final plan we will be working with municipalities on implementation.
Certainly intensification recognizes the strong potential in redeveloping brownfelds.
Waterloo Region knows this well – with the Seagram lands being just one of many old industrial sites across the region that have been redeveloped to exciting new purposes.
Intensification also curbs the need for costly expansion of infrastructure and utilities into new areas – And allows municipalities to gain maximum benefit from infrastructure already in place.
Another key benefit? Quality of life.
The plan will focus on more compact development that will promote mixed-use communities, providing people with opportunities for work, shopping, recreation and access to services close to home.
This can help reduce the need for the lengthy commutes currently faced by so many workers.
The growth plan will be a catalyst for improving health – because more people will have the option to walk instead of drive to nearby destinations.
The plan will encourage multi-unit housing – an increasingly popular choice that attracted 58 per cent of new homebuyers in Ontario last year…And, it will require densities that better support investment in transit.
Our government considers transit investment a priority across the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
Reducing gridlock is critical not only to air quality. It is critical to our economy.
According to the Toronto Board of Trade, traffic congestion costs our economy about $2 billion annually as goods and services are delayed in reaching their destinations.
We’ve already recognized the potential for enhanced transit in Waterloo Region.
Together with the region and the Government of Canada, Ontario invested $2.5 million in technical studies and an environmental assessment for a new light rail transit line.
By connecting Kitchener and Waterloo, and ultimately Cambridge – the 30-kilometre line would undoubtedly prove a key means of directing and supporting growth.
This is increasingly important in this region.
A new economic report by Benjamin Tal, a senior economist at CIBC World Markets, says that Waterloo Region is growing at a faster pace than any other major city in Canada.
We want to be sure it can continue to offer the quality of life that attracts business and investment, and the highly qualified workforce that propels the Technology Triangle, and its other key sectors.
As I mentioned, planning for strong, growing communities goes hand-in-hand with meeting the infrastructure requirements of residents and businesses – now and in the future.
Earlier this month, I released province’s first-ever five-year infrastructure investment plan entitled ReNew Ontario – which complements our growth plan.
By 2010, the province and its partners will invest more than $30 billion in Ontario’s public infrastructure.
We’ll invest some $10 billion in schools, universities and colleges – including the $21 million improvement currently under way at Wilfrid Laurier.
We’ll invest more than $11 billion in transit, highways, borders and other transportation facilities – including the highway expansion from Woodstock to Cambridge.
We’ll invest about $5 billion in health care facilities. This includes 105 hospital projects – including redevelopment currently under way at St. Mary’s General Hospital.
The new affordable housing agreement between the governments of Canada and Ontario will invest more than $700 million in 15,000 new affordable housing units – and Spadina Woods, Heartwood Place, Mennohomes and Walnut Apartments in Waterloo Region have already moved forward.
Over the longer term, the cost of addressing Ontario’s infrastructure challenge may reach more than $100 billion.
Ontario can’t realistically finance this on its own.
That’s why we’ve also introduced new sources of investment.
Consider:
Two months ago, the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan paid $651 million for an interest in a water and sewer company – in Britain.
Prior to that, it paid $1.75 billion for a share of a power generating company – in the United States.
Why didn’t they invest in Ontario? Because we’ve never offered them the opportunity.
Our government is now aggressively seeking private partners to help build or maintain public infrastructure. The public sector will remain accountable for delivering the service.
We’ve introduced new tools for municipalities to help enhance infrastructure and build stronger communities.
For instance, the Ontario Strategic Infrastructure Financing Authority offers municipalities low-cost, long-term loans to help build and renew critical public infrastructure.
Ontario residents can invest in infrastructure projects in their own communities by purchasing infrastructure renewal bonds.
Municipalities can offer tax incentives to landlords as an incentive for environmental rehabilitation of brownfields.
And our government has joined in several infrastructure programs with our federal partners, including the $900 million Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund that focuses on improving infrastructure in small and rural communities across the province.
Alongside fiscal tools, we are continuing to introduce planning reform.
This includes Ontario’s new Provincial Policy Statement, which clearly sets out the government’s interests in land-use planning and development.
It promotes intensificationprotecting the environmentand ensuring an adequate supply of land to meet a full range of employment and residential uses.
Ladies and gentlemen, communities can be shaped by chance or they can be shaped by choice. The McGuinty government is committed to creating the kind of communities Ontarians want.
Strong, healthy, prosperous communities, carefully planned to respond to all the needs of a growing population and economy – Carefully planned to ensure a quality of life second to none in this world.
Let me conclude by saying that our government is proud to be a partner in this conference.
Like you, we want the municipalities of Waterloo Region to fully realize the enormous opportunity that awaits it through reurbanization and well-planned growth.
Thank you.
