Statement to the Ontario Legislature (June 19, 2006)

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Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in the house today to highlight the announcement I made last Friday to launch the Southern Ontario Highways Program. The McGuinty government is investing $3.4 billion, over five years, to ensure the safety and accessibility of one of our province's most important economic assets - our highway system.

Battling congestion

Ontario is the engine that drives Canada's economy. We are the third-largest financial centre in North America - and our highways are the lifeblood of our economy. Keeping our economy healthy is critical to our government because it supports the high quality of life that we've come to expect in Ontario.

Mr. Speaker, the long-range, proactive Southern Ontario Highways Program will create a highway system capable of addressing the economic and safety needs of the province's growing population.

I'd like to share with the house some astonishing statistics about how vital our highway system is to the province's success.

• Every year, $1.2 trillion worth of goods are carried on Ontario's highways
• Every day, $670 million worth of goods cross the Ontario/US border by road
• More than 90 per cent of all Ontarians live in Southern Ontario, more than 11 million people
• There are over 9.7 million registered vehicles in our province.

Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to keeping this traffic along Ontario's highways moving safely and efficiently today - and in the future.

We know that without immediate improvements to the province's transportation infrastructure, Ontarians face highway congestion that could cripple the economy and lower the standard of living for future generations.

Southern Ontario Highways Program

The Southern Ontario Highways Program anticipates the province's booming growth and is designed to accommodate our burgeoning population.

Mr. Speaker, this is what people can expect from this $3.4 billion investment in Southern Ontario:

• Our government will expand Ontario's highway system by 130 kilometres
• We will replace 64 bridges
• We will repair almost 1600 kilometres of highways and 200 bridges.

This will mean:

• Smoother and safer pavement and bridge conditions
• Less congestion and easier passage across our highways
• Less time spent in traffic and more time to spend with family and friends, and
• Better air quality.

Mr. Speaker, one of this government's top priorities is keeping people and goods moving safely and efficiently across our highways. The Southern Ontario Highways Program is evidence of the McGuinty government's commitment to high performance highways.

Northen Highways Program

The program we announced complements the $1.8 billion Northern Ontario Highways Strategy, launched last year. In the first year of this program alone:

• Six kilometres of new highway were built
• Seven new bridges were built
• 19 bridges were repaired
• 383 kilometres of highway were repaired

Last Thursday, Premier McGuinty and Minister Bartolucci announced this year's plans for Northern Ontario highway construction including 36 new projects and 16 projects carried forward from previous years.

The 2006 construction plan includes repairs to 43 bridges and 420 kilometres of highway.

Mr. Speaker, northern highways are literal economic lifelines for Northern communities. Linking Northern and Southern Ontario is vital to the prosperity of the entire province.

Accountability and transparency

Mr. Speaker, the Northern and Southern Ontario Highway Programs are evidence of our government's commitment to leave a legacy of safe highways that will support Ontario's economy for generations to come.

The Ministry of Transportation has prepared a detailed report, appropriately called the Southern Ontario Highways Program - 2006 to 2010, which is available on line.

Mr. Speaker, when we took office, our government promised accountability and transparency in the way we managed taxpayer's dollars. The report shows exactly how money is being spent to strengthen our province.

Ontarians can expect improvements on highways in all regions, across the province. Every year, my ministry will publish a report providing an update on the five-year program.

Building our economy

Mr. Speaker, these changes are in addition to the significant improvements my government has already made to Ontario highways.

Some of the changes already in progress include:

• Opening the first-ever High Occupancy Vehicle - or HOV lanes - on provincial highways in Ontario. The new lanes on Highways 403 and 404 encourage carpooling, which translates to fewer vehicles on the road, cleaner air and a more enjoyable commuting experience.
• We've also started extending Highway 410 - from Bovaird Drive to Mayfield Road - to improve traffic flow and provide a link to growing communities in Brampton.
• We are building new bridges at Bronte Creek and Sixteen Mile Creek to accommodate plans for HOV lanes on the QEW in the future. This is an important part of our international trade route through Oakville and Burlington.

In 2006 alone, Ontarians can expect:

• 29 kilometres of new highway
• 828 kilometres of highway repairs
• 77 bridge repairs, and
• Preparations for 10 kilometres of new HOV lanes in the northbound lanes of Highway 404.

The end result of these improvements will be safer and more efficient highways and a stronger economic future for the province.

Environment

Mr. Speaker, I think it's very important to note that our government is keenly aware of the effect all of the planned construction can have on the environment. We work hard to protect wildlife, fish habitats and migratory and nesting birds.

Tackling congestion is also crucial to improving air quality. Our record investments in highway infrastructure and public transit will mean less time spent idling in traffic ... less fuel consumed … and less pollution.

Mr. Speaker, we will do everything we can to preserve Ontarians ecosystems and air quality for future generations.

Conclusion

I'd like to conclude by saying that Ontario is already a great place to live and do business, but it has the potential to be even greater. The McGuinty government is committed to strengthening the province's infrastructure to maximize our competitive advantage on the world stage and encourage further investment in our province.

The Southern Ontario Highways Program and Northern Highways Program are forward-thinking initiatives that will help to counteract growing congestion, take care of our existing highway infrastructure and deliver prosperity to future generations.

I know all honourable members will want to support these programs.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.