The Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO), Ontario’s labour-management infrastructure coalition, says it congratulates Bob Chiarelli on his appointment as the new Ontario Minister for Infrastructure.
“Minister Chiarelli has a long and distinguished career of public service at both the municipal and provincial orders of government. Our coalition welcomes his return to the infrastructure portfolio and we look forward to working with him to promote Ontario Infrastructure agenda,” said RCCAO executive director Andy Manahan.
RCCAO’s recent independent research has examined megatrends and the future of infrastructure, how best to implement the proposed federal infrastructure bank, as well as the long-term economic benefits of Ontario’s 10-year infrastructure plan.
Chiarelli was the architect of the 10-year plan and his return to the infrastructure portfolio will give him an opportunity to carry-on this important work.
In its recent 2016 budget, the Ontario government signalled its commitment to investing more than $137 billion over the next 10 years in roads, bridges, public transit, hospitals and schools. That would result in $160 billion over 12 years, starting in 2014-15, which the government claims amounts to the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history.
“Key investments in transit, housing and public infrastructure are going to create jobs and ensure that Ontario remains a global destination for talent and investment. Our coalition looks forward to continuing our working relationship with the Ontario government and Minister Chiarelli”, Manahan said.