Poor planning and under-investment have left the province with the most serious infrastructure deficit in its history. At the same time, Ontario is growing at an unprecedented rate. Our challenge is to make sure we have a modern and efficient public infrastructure to deliver quality public services, stimulate economic growth, create jobs and improve the quality of life we enjoy in Ontario. To help meet the government's commitment to deliver better health care, higher-quality education and a clean and safe environment, I am pleased to release this Infrastructure Planning, Financing and Procurement Framework for Ontario's Public Sector. This framework is a critical step forward to help rebuild Ontario's public infrastructure and improve the delivery of key public services.
For the first time in Ontario's history, a provincial government has established a comprehensive framework to guide the Ontario government, municipalities and broader public-sector partners in choosing the best options for planning, financing and procuring public infrastructure assets. The framework establishes clear guidelines for this. It is based on five fundamental principles:
• the public interest is paramount;
• value for money must be demonstrable;
• appropriate public control/ownership must be preserved;
• accountability must be maintained; and
• all processes must be fair, transparent and efficient.
This framework was developed in consultation with provincial infrastructure ministries, the public and hundreds of stakeholders representing communities, businesses and infrastructure partners from across the province, and incorporates research and best practices from other jurisdictions. Our government appreciates the advice and input we received in the development of this framework.
The Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal will develop additional tools and best-practice guides to assist public-sector partners to effectively use this framework to deliver on critical public infrastructure investments.
I believe that everyone involved in building public infrastructure in Ontario will find this framework a useful resource as we work to meet our infrastructure challenges.