Dear Sir or Madam:
I am pleased to inform you of the release of Building Better Lives: Ontario’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan 2017. This plan responds to the changing needs of Ontario’s communities and sets forth a vision for Ontario’s long- term infrastructure planning and delivery.
This plan outlines important policy commitments in areas that matter to Ontarians. In this era of accelerated technological change where internet connection is ever more critical to business and communities, we need to focus on improving access to broadband infrastructure and building resilient and substantive infrastructure.
Ontario is also integrating climate change considerations into infrastructure planning to ensure environmental sustainability as well as linking infrastructure investments to social policy initiatives such as community benefits projects and apprenticeships that support more jobs and training opportunities. To further advance community goals, the province’s commitment to a new Social Purpose Real Estate strategy will ensure the broader community need is taken into consideration in infrastructure planning and public property decision-making.
Finally, this plan summarizes Ontario’s first-ever Asset Inventory that includes a description of the condition, age and value of Ontario’s assets by sectors.
The Infrastructure for Jobs and Prosperity Act, 2015 mandates the Government of Ontario to develop a long-term infrastructure plan by May 2019. This plan represents an interim step towards meeting the full requirements of the act and demonstrates Ontario’s commitment to long-term, strategic, evidence-based public infrastructure planning and delivery.
To read more about Ontario’s 2017 Long-Term Infrastructure Plan, please visit www.ontario.ca/document/building-better-lives-ontarios-long-term-infrastructure-plan-2017 and www.ontario.ca/document/building-better-lives-ontarios-long-term-infrastructure-plan-2017/technical-appendix-assessing-ontarios-existing-infrastructure for more information. As we work towards fulfilling the policy commitments outlined in the plan and meeting our legislative requirements, we welcome comments on this plan. It is being posted on the Environmental Registry for a period of 60 days, and can be accessed atwww.ebr.gov.on.ca/.
Thank you for your interest and I look forward to engaging with you in the future to support Ontario’s infrastructure investments.
Sincerely,
[Original signed by]
Bob Chiarelli
Minister