Infrastructure
Ontario is Canada’s economic engine. To keep that engine running smoothly, we need to invest in it.
Ensuring our future growth and prosperity depends on getting our fair share of investment in roads, highways and bridges. Continuous transportation investment is key to Ontario’s competitiveness, economic performance and quality of life.
Canada is one of the few modern jurisdictions without a strong, sustainable commitment by the national government to investment in transportation infrastructure.
It’s estimated that over the next 30 years, more than $100 billion will be required to maintain existing infrastructure and prepare for future growth in Ontario. Infrastructure funding must be allocated fairly.
Ontario maintains over 16,500 kilometres of highway.
In 2004-05, the Ontario government will invest over $1.2 billion in highway infrastructure.
Since 2003, we’ve invested $1.39 billion in highway infrastructure.
Ontario has more than 360 kilometres of connecting links — parts of municipal roads that connect to provincial highways.
We invest about $15 million every year to help fund repairs and improvements to these links.
There are 83 transit systems across 110 communities throughout Ontario.
In 2004-05, we have provided $78 million in gas tax funding to transit systems across Ontario.
We have committed $385 million to improving GO Transit service.
We are investing $350 million in transit in the City of Toronto, plus another $140 million this year to strengthen the TTC.
We are investing $200 million to support Ottawa’s O-Train.
We have committed $1 million to light rapid transit studies in Waterloo.
We have dedicated $50 million for bus rapid transit in York.
There are more than 250,000 lakes in Ontario.
In 2004-05, the Ontario government will invest $257 million in clean water projects, including $222 million for municipal water and wastewater infrastructure.
In 2004-05, we will invest $15.5 million for upgrades to drinking water systems in Ontario Parks.
We will commit $7 million for watershed-based source protection and other water quality measures.
Ontario has over 4.5 million people living in rural communities across the province.
In 2004-05, we will invest $364 million in northern infrastructure, including $244 million to renew and expand northern highways.
In 2004-05, we’re investing $161 million for the Ontario Small Town and Rural Development Infrastructure program, which addresses the health and safety needs of rural communities, small cities and towns.
Over the next five years, we will commit $298 million to rural infrastructure through the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund program.