Statement to the Ontario Legislature (March 27, 2006)

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Mr. Speaker, I rise in the house today to talk about something vital to everyone in Ontario: the state of our roads and bridges.

As my colleague, Minister Duncan, pointed out in tabling his budget last week: quick, reliable and safe transportation is vital to our economic success and quality of life.

Mr. Speaker, our government has made the safety and reliability of Ontario's transportation infrastructure a priority. We've created Move Ontario a new, one-time $1.2 billion investment in Ontario's public transit systems and municipal roads and bridges.

I was pleased to be in Mississauga last Friday with the Premier to announce $65 million for the Mississauga Transitway. This is on top of the $25 million that GO Transit is contributing to the project.

We want to help move people and goods faster, create jobs and build a stronger economy across the province.

Move Ontario also means:

• $670 million to extend the TTC subway to York Region
• $95 million for the Brampton AcceleRide program
• $400 million for municipalities primarily outside of the GTA.

Mr. Speaker we have listened to municipal leaders in communities across this province who have asked for more money to help repair and upgrade roads and bridges.

This is a one-time $400 million investment that municipalities may use for these kinds of projects.

Communities such as Hastings County, which will receive more than $1.6 million … London which will receive more than $14.3 million … Hamilton nearly $21 million … Sault Ste Marie nearly $ 4.7 million … Kitchener more than $4 million … and Ottawa nearly $33 million.

Our investment is spread across the province with an emphasis on rural and northern communities.

I know that municipal leaders in Durham Region will be happy to hear that the region will receive more than $10.7 million.

These communities will determine their own priorities including how and when to spend the funding. It will be provided immediately so that high priority projects can be accommodated as soon as possible.

Mr. Speaker, Move Ontario is in addition to other major programs that support municipal infrastructure. Programs such as the $900 million Canada Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund. And programs such as the Ontario Strategic Infrastructure Financing Authority.

Move Ontario projects are in addition to our five-year $30 billion ReNew Ontario infrastructure plan.

And, Mr. Speaker, let me also remind the honourable members that ours is the first government in Ontario to offer municipalities a reliable and stable source of transit funding. The Provincial Gas Tax Program is a huge success and now into its second year.

As of October 1, 2005, we increased funding from one cent to one and a half cents for every litre of gasoline sold in Ontario.

This year 83 transit systems serving 110 communities will share $232 million in gas tax funding - up from $156 million in the first year of the program.

Mr. Speaker, I'm proud that Ontario has the safest roads in North America. Our government is committed to maintaining and improving upon that record.

We are doing what needs to be done to help communities across the province ensure that Ontario's roads and bridges and transit infrastructure is among the best in the world.

Here's what people are saying about Move Ontario.

The president of the Canadian Urban Transit Association, Michael Roschlau, says, "These transit projects will help ease congestion and air quality and improve the economic vitality of Ontario's communities."

The president of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Roger Anderson, says, "Funding for municipal roads, bridges and public transit is welcome news."

Mississauga Mayor, Hazel McCallion, calls ours a, "very progressive budget."

The chair of the Toronto Transit Commission, Howard Moscoe, says, "It's great news, terrific for transit, and what we are seeing is the government honour its promises and that's great."

And a news release from the CAA says, "This budget shows that motorists matter."

Mr. Speaker, I'm sure all Members will support Move Ontario and agree that quick, reliable and safe transportation is vital to our economic success and quality of life.

Vital to ensuring the $1.2 trillion worth of goods carried on Ontario highways every year get to market on time.

Vital to ensuring we spend more time with our families, doing the things that really matter to all of us.

Thank you Mr. Speaker.