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Ministry of Transportation Annual Reports: 2002-2003/2003-2004

This document includes:

Ministry Overview

A safe, efficient and integrated transportation system is critical to our quality of life, a strong economy and a clean and he althy environment. The Ministry of Transportation's (MTO) strategic plan accommodates growth and supports Ontario's economic competitiveness by:

  • Planning, Managing and Maintaining a Safe, Efficient and Integrated Transportation System: The ministry sets safety standards and regulations governing road user safety and also manages construction and maintenance of Ontario's highway network. We are working with other governments to create an integrated and seamless transportation system by road, rail, water, air and public transit.

  • Improving Public Transit: The ministry is improving public transit service. Making key investments in GO Transit and municipal transit expansion and sharing provincial gas tax revenues with municipalities will ensure long-term, stable transit funding and attract new riders. The creation of a single fare card system in the Greater Toronto Area will make public transit more convenient and attractive.

  • Planning and Investing in Critical Transportation Infrastructure: MTO is increasing investments in Ontario's transportation infrastructure, making improvements to ease congestion and improve border safety at all major crossings. Moving people and $900 million in goods across the Ontario-U.S. border each day is essential to a strong economy. The ministry oversees the ongoing maintenance and operation of 16,500 kilometres of highways; 2,800 bridges/structures; 29 remote airports and eight ferry services.

  • Promoting Safety on Ontario Roads: In 2003, there were 9.7 million vehicles, 8.5 million drivers and approximately 85,000 bus and truck companies actively operating on Ontario's roadways. While Ontario has the safest roads in North America, we will keep working to improve road safety through legislation, education, outreach and enforcement programs.

  • Enhancing Public Service and Customer Satisfaction: MTO is improving customer service delivery by expanding customer access to products and services on the internet and by telephone.

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Annual Report 2003-2004

Public Transit

  • The Ontario Transit Vehicles Program provided funding for fleet expansion, renewal and refurbishment.
  • A new yield-to-bus regulation improved transit service reliability.
  • An agreement-in-principle was struck with the federal government and the City of Toronto to provide transit funding worth $1 billion to the Toronto Transit Commission over five years.

Road Safety

Road safety was supported through partnerships with police services and various safety groups. Activities included:

  • 12 province-wide truck safety blitzes
  • Major seatbelt safety campaigns in the spring and fall
  • Allowing municipalities to use red light camera technology to enhance enforcement and traffic safety on municipal roads

Enhanced Services

Changes to ministry products and services included outsourcing driver examination services to a private-sector partner.

Highway Investment

The ministry invested almost $1 billion in highway infrastructure projects across the province. Investments included:

  • Widening Highway 8 from the Kitchener-Waterloo Expressway to Fergus Avenue.
  • Highway 420 reconstruction through Niagara Falls.
  • Construction of a new Highway 410 alignment in Brampton.
  • Opening new Bus Bypass Shoulders on Highway 403 through Mississauga.
  • Highway 7 reconstruction from Highway 134 to Norwood.
  • Highway 69 alignment between MacTier and Parry Sound.
  • Twinning Highway 11 between Trout Creek and South River.
  • Construction on the new Highway 17 alignment east of Sault Ste. Marie.

Intergovernmental Partnerships and Initiatives

The province continued to work with the federal government, municipalities and U.S. jurisdictions to improve the efficiency of Ontario's international border crossings and strategic trade corridors through:

  • Joint federal-provincial funding of $336 million for 10 highway improvement projects in Ontario through the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program
  • The Let's Get Windsor-Essex Moving strategy: a $300 million, five-year joint agreement with the federal government and the City of Windsor for improvements to the Windsor-Detroit gateway
  Ministry Expenditures ($ millions)
2003-2004 Actual
Operating 800
Capital 797
Staff Strength
(as of Mar. 31, 2004) 		4,215.6

NOTE: Starting in 2002-2003, major tangible capital assets owned by provincial ministries (land, buildings and transportation infrastructure) are accounted for on a full accrual accounting basis. Other tangible capital assets owned by provincial ministries will continue to be accounted for as expense in the year of acquisition or construction. All capital assets owned by consolidated government organizations are accounted for on a full accrual basis.

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Annual Report 2002-2003

Public Transit

The ministry invested in public transit through programs such as:

  • The Ontario Transit Renewal Program.
  • Transit Investment Partnerships.
  • Golden Horseshoe Transit Investment Partnerships.

Road Safety

MTO's road safety agenda included:

  • Three province-wide truck safety blitzes.
  • Seatbelt safety campaigns in the spring and fall.
  • Launching the Ignition Interlock Program to combat drinking and driving.
  • Extending the red light camera pilot project, as requested by municipalities.

Enhanced Services

Changes to ministry products and services included creating an online system to book road tests.

Highway Investment

The ministry invested almost $1 billion in highway infrastructure projects across the province, including:

  • Continued reconstruction of Highway 402 between Highway 401 and Sarnia.
  • Rehabilitation of QEW Garden City Skyway in St. Catharines
  • Continued reconstruction of Highway 417 east of Ottawa.
  • Reconstruction of Highway 17 east of Sturgeon Falls.
  • Reconstruction of Highway 11 in the Atikokan area.
  • Continued the strategic rehabilitation program of Highway 401 through the Greater Toronto Area.

Intergovernmental Partnerships and Initiatives

The province partnered with the federal government, municipalities and U.S. jurisdictions in:

  • Easing traffic congestion at the approach to the Windsor-Detroit border crossing.
  • A bi-national needs and feasibility planning study on traffic flow at the Windsor border.
  Ministry Expenditures ($ millions)
2002-2003 Actual
Operating 814
Capital 578
Staff Strength
(as of Mar. 31, 2003) 		4,828

NOTE: Starting in 2002-2003, major tangible capital assets owned by provincial ministries (land, buildings and transportation infrastructure) are accounted for on a full accrual accounting basis. Other tangible capital assets owned by provincial ministries will continue to be accounted for as expense in the year of acquisition or construction. All capital assets owned by consolidated government organizations are accounted for on a full accrual basis.

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You can find annual reports for other Ontario government ministries online at www.gov.on.ca under “About Government”.

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