PIR is engaged in leading-edge strategic policy development and analysis for the effective planning and management of provincial infrastructure investments including infrastructure planning and allocation; needs assessment; sectoral infrastructure strategy development; and federal, provincial and municipal partnerships.
PIR is responsible for managing a centralized infrastructure planning process and the strategic management of the government's infrastructure investment plan, including investments in the province's own assets and transfers for infrastructure purposes to broader public-sector partners.
PIR is developing three- and 10-year strategic infrastructure investment plans for Ontario. These plans will set out a comprehensive plan of action for:
• building and modernizing water and wastewater treatment systems and health care and education facilities;
• improving public transit services and co-ordination to reduce gridlock;
• creating new affordable housing units;
• establishing a growth management strategy that encourages good development and discourages sprawl; and
• addressing other strategic infrastructure priorities.
Ministries are being asked, and are in the process of developing, both medium-term (three-year) and long-term (10-year) infrastructure strategies. These strategies will prioritize infrastructure investments and set out a comprehensive and systematic plan for delivering on these infrastructure priorities.
Establishing a long-term strategy for the renewal of Ontario's public infrastructure will ensure that Ontarians have the high-quality public services they need and deserve.
The government's investment plans will be based on the following principles:
• use of infrastructure investment as a catalyst for positive change and an enabling vehicle to achieve government policy objectives;
• long-term planning horizons;
• sound asset management, including life-cycle costing;
• modern controllership and accountability;
• value for money, including needs-based business cases to justify investment;
• collaborative investment by governments and public institutions;
• efficient financing that matches costs and benefits;
• beneficiary or user pay where feasible and in the public interest; and
• innovative engagement of the private sector to leverage expertise and capital.
The infrastructure investment plan will support the government's growth management plan and be focused on results by measuring progress against government objectives. The infrastructure investment plan will fundamentally redefine infrastructure planning by shifting to a long-term planning horizon that is supported by sustainable financing models and sound infrastructure asset-management practices. A long-term vision and plan for infrastructure renewal will also better position the province in negotiating infrastructure funding agreements with the federal government.