Ontario Road Builders’ Association ready to move on Ontario budget

BY MICHAEL M c SWEENEY

ORBA has long held confidence in the Ford government’s commitment to transportation infrastructure. And following the Ontario 2023 budget announcement in March, I can safely say that our faith is well-placed.

Announcing the “most ambitious capital plan in Ontario’s history” was a bold move for the government, but the numbers add up.

To see $100 billion in funding allotted for highways, bridges, and public transit works over the next years is encouraging, to say the least, as is knowing $27.9 billion has been earmarked for critical highway rehabilitation and expansion projects. These are clear signposts that the province is holding true to its promise of “Building a Strong Ontario.”

ORBA was particularly interested to see vital transportation infrastructure projects take the spotlight in the province’s capital planning. This includes the building of the new Bradford Bypass, which will connect Highway 400 in the County of Simcoe and Highway 404 in the York Region; the new Highway 413, which will connect commuters across Halton, Peel, and York regions; and the new Highway 7 between Kitchener and Guelph, among other much-needed works.

At the same time, we are excited for our members to begin work on widening Highway 401 in Eastern Ontario and twinning the QEW Garden City Skyway Bridge, and to continue to work with First Nations in the north with the budget’s additional $5 million for the Winter Roads Program.

Make no mistake, these are no small investments. They are, however, the level of investment Ontario needs right now to ensure a safe, reliable, and sustainable transportation network — especially as Ontario prepares to welcome 5.6 million more people over the next 25 years.

Moreover, these robust investments will keep our members busy and our industry thriving, creating jobs and economic growth that will ripple far beyond our industry alone.

Of course, we need people to make these projects happen. BuildForce predicts that nearly 72,000 additional construction workers will be required to make good on the government’s infrastructure capital plan.

This is why ORBA’s pre-budget consultations included recommendations to enhance and better support key provincial and federal employment programs that get skilled individuals into the transportation infrastructure industry.

We’re happy to see those recommendations reflected in Ontario’s plans to make significant investments in recruitment and training, including $224 million for a new capital stream of the Skills Development Fund and $25 million in funding to enhance the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program.

Coupled with the recent announcements on mandatory technical courses in our schools and enhanced apprenticeship opportunities, these investments will help position our regional workforce to build the critical infrastructure necessary for the province’s continued success.

All told, OBRA thanks this government for its ongoing support and unprecedented transportation infrastructure funding announced in its most recent budget. For our part, ORBA and its members are equally committed to getting to work on our collective goal of keeping Ontario moving.

These opinion columns are excerpted from monthly columns published online through a partnership between ORBA and Metroland Media.