Ontario Launches Municipal Infrastructure Strategy
McGuinty Government Strengthening Local Economies
Ministry of Infrastructure
Ontario is helping small, rural and Northern municipalities strategically plan to maintain and build critical infrastructure required by families and businesses to build strong local economies.
The new Municipal Infrastructure Strategy will require municipalities that request provincial infrastructure funding to show how projects fit within a comprehensive asset management plan. Asset management plans help municipalities make smart planning decisions about building, operating, maintaining, renewing and replacing infrastructure over the long-term.
Through the strategy, Ontario is providing $60 million over the next three years to municipalities. Up to $9 million will be used to help municipalities prepare their plans, while the remaining funds will be used to address critical projects identified in those finalized plans.
Investing in infrastructure is part of the McGuinty government's plan to create jobs for Ontarians and strengthen the economy. A strong economy protects the services that mean the most to families - health care and education.
Quick Facts
- Eligible communities can apply for funding to help them prepare asset management plans. The deadline to apply is Oct. 22, 2012.
- An online guide and toolkit are available to help municipalities prepare their asset management plans.
- Since 2003, the McGuinty government has invested $13 billion to help municipalities modernize and expand transit, repair and upgrade roads and bridges, improve water and wastewater treatment, and revitalize community infrastructure.
- The 2012 Budget preserves the high level of infrastructure investment that was committed to in Building Together - more than $35 billion over the next three years.
Quotes
Our government has made unprecedented investments in infrastructure across the province. We will continue to partner with all municipalities to invest in local infrastructure to support economic growth and enhance quality of life."
With this investment, the province is ensuring that small, rural and northern municipalities have the means to implement robust infrastructure asset management practices, which are crucial to meeting the expectations of residents and business."
Alan Korell
The federal, provincial and municipal governments need to work together to fund the infrastructure that makes Ontario communities prosperous. The Province's decision to provide funding to small municipalities to prepare asset management plans confirms a commitment to approaching infrastructure needs in partnership, and to investing wisely."
Gary McNamara