Ministry of Finance
Backgrounder
November 26, 2015
Building Tomorrow’s Infrastructure
2015 Budget Commitment
Impact
Ontario is making the largest public
infrastructure investment in the province’s
history — more than $134 billion over 10 years
in highways, transit, schools, hospitals and other
local infrastructure projects. This is supported by
$5.7 billion in dedicated funds for infrastructure
investment from asset optimization initiatives,
including broadening the ownership of
Hydro One.
Building and revitalizing public infrastructure will
create jobs, spur economic growth, help reduce
congestion, increase productivity and support
public services. Ontario’s infrastructure investments
are expected to support an average of more than
110,000 jobs per year. Recent research shows that,
on average, one dollar of public infrastructure
spending in Canada raises GDP by $1.43 in the
short term and up to $3.83 in the long term.
By unlocking value from key assets, the amounts raised allow the Province to
help fund priority infrastructure projects without corresponding increases in
borrowing and taxes or reductions to public services. These investments are
essential to strengthening Ontario’s economic growth.
Progress Report
Since April, Ontario has committed support for more than 200 infrastructure projects in communities
across the province that will create jobs, keep people and goods moving, connect communities and
improve the lives of Ontarians where they live, work and play.
Unlocking Value to Invest in Infrastructure
As a result of the November Hydro One initial public offering, it is anticipated that $2.7 billion
in dedicated funds will be made available for infrastructure — $1.1 billion over the 2015 Budget
asset optimization target for 2015–16.
For more information, refer to the 2015 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review
Chapter I, Section C: Building Tomorrow’s Infrastructure and Asset Optimization, pages 25-41
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Building Ontario Up — Progress for Prosperity
Priority Infrastructure Projects
Focus areas include widening key highways, repaving and rehabilitation across Ontario.
The Connecting Links program will provide $15 million annually to help smaller municipalities
maintain and build roads connecting provincial highways.
Ontario is investing $25 million over three years to improve routes for cyclists across the province,
including $15 million for routes that provide key connections and linkages on provincial highways. In
July, the Province launched the Ontario Municipal Cycling Infrastructure Program, making available
$10 million in dedicated funds.
Priority Transit Projects
Major sections of the Confederation Line, Ottawa’s 12.5-km light rail transit (LRT) project, are
expected to be ready by the summer of 2017. The project is supported by a provincial funding
commitment of up to $600 million.
To prepare for Regional Express Rail (RER), GO Transit is in the process of providing additional
weekday rail trips. The RER will increase weekly GO train trips across the network to nearly 6,000
over 10 years.
In May, the Province announced up to $1 billion in funding for the Hamilton LRT project, covering
the capital costs. Planning is also underway on the LRT line in Peel Region, running along the
Hurontario corridor.
The Eglinton Crosstown LRT line, with a provincial investment of $5.3 billion in capital costs, is
expected to be in service by September 2021.
Supporting Community Infrastructure
The Province is moving forward on its 10-year commitment to provide more than $11 billion in
capital grants to school boards, with approximately 170 major capital school projects in planning
or underway.
In October, Ontario opened Humber River Hospital, North America’s first fully digital hospital. Nearly
40 major hospital projects are in planning or under construction as part of the Province’s 10-year
commitment to provide more than $11 billion in hospital capital grants.
The Province helped deliver landmark facilities for the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games,
including the Athletes’ Village and Hamilton Pan Am Soccer Stadium (Tim Hortons Field), which will
leave a lasting legacy for Ontario communities. Work has begun to transform Toronto’s Athletes’
Village into the Canary District, providing a range of affordable housing options, including accessible
units, along with a new YMCA and a residence for George Brown College students.
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