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December 2, 2020

On October 22, 2020, the Province introduced the Ontario Rebuilding and Recovery Act, 2020: Accelerating Infrastructure Projects – a package of legislative measures, policy changes, and communication opportunities that would accelerate the delivery of major public infrastructure projects. The details of the announcement can be found by CLICKING HERE.

As part of the Ontario Rebuilding and Recovery initiative, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) is working together with the Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Infrastructure and other partner ministries to consult with municipalities to better understand the challenges and barriers they are facing in delivering local linear infrastructure projects. MMAH will also explore what new authorities municipalities may need to accelerate the delivery of these projects, considering the accelerating measures recently included in the Building Transit Faster Act, the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020, the proposed Ontario Rebuilding and Recovery legislative package, and other potential authorities and tools.

The anticipated outcomes of the proposed municipal consultation for accelerated delivery of municipal infrastructure projects include, but are not limited to:
1. Improving our understanding of the challenges and barriers to expediting municipal infrastructure delivery;
2. Determining whether the authorities in the Building Transit Faster Act, 2020 could offer potential solutions if made available to municipalities;
3. Exploring potential additional accelerating authorities that may be of benefit to municipalities;
4. Considering how municipal infrastructure projects could be designated by the province as priorities to support economic recovery.
 

MMAH is looking for insight and perspective from MEA members regarding on-the-ground challenges municipalities may have, and potential solutions to expedite municipal infrastructure projects will help inform any recommendations moving forward. Informed by these consultations, MMAH plans to develop proposals to bring forward for Spring 2021.

Please particiapte in the MMAH's ONLINE SURVEY, before December 18, 2020, to provide your input.