Over 700 Infrastructure Projects Created Jobs In 2010
December 21, 2010
McGuinty Government Keeping Ontario Strong And Families Working
From newly constructed colleges and hospitals to freshly paved roads and highways, Ontario has seen an unprecedented year of infrastructure investments and development.
Over 700 infrastructure stimulus projects have been completed in 2010, helping create jobs and boost local economies. These projects are part of a record two-year investment of nearly $28 billion in Ontario's infrastructure, which has created over 300,000 jobs. As a result Ontarians have new roads, bridges, community centres, water infrastructure, and schools to show for it.
This year's infrastructure investments also include public-private collaboration with the province's health care partners to invest in Ontario's hospitals, so families can get the care they need, when they need it and closer to home. For example, the Ottawa Cancer Centre's Queensway Carleton Hospital site and the North Bay Regional Health Centre reached substantial completion this year.
Improving Ontario's infrastructure will ensure Ontario is strong in the long term while keeping our families working over the short term. The result is more spaces for students to learn, state-of-the-art healthcare facilities, and recreation centres for families to stay fit and connect with their communities. Ontario is currently developing a ten-year infrastructure plan that will support the Open Ontario Plan to create jobs and new opportunities for economic growth.
"The year 2010 will be seen as a year of economic growth and infrastructure improvements through projects like the expansion of the cancer care centre at the Queensway Carleton Hospital. After years of infrastructure neglect, the McGuinty government is helping rebuild communities, create economic prosperity, and improve the quality of life for all Ontarians. We've come a long way – but there's more to do. And we have a plan to keep Ontario moving forward," said Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Infrastructure.
"We were so pleased to partner with The Ottawa Hospital on the opening of the Irving Greenberg Family Cancer Centre almost a year ago. This new centre is so important for residents and patients in Ottawa and the surrounding communities. It means we can bring treatment closer to home for those who need it," said Tom Schonberg, Queensway Carleton Hospital President and CEO.
By March 2011, the total infrastructure investment for the province since 2005-06 is expected to total about $60 billion.
Completed stimulus projects include 69 rinks and arenas, 96 gyms and recreational centres, 41 other sports fields and courts, 79 parks, 12 fire halls, 3 heritage buildings, 12 libraries, 18 pools, 3 airports, about 290 road repairs and 14 bridges.
Since 2003, construction is in progress or completed for more than 100 major hospital projects. This includes 18 new hospitals that have been built or are underway.
Since 2003, 400 new schools have been built, with 100 more in progress. In addition, more than 17,000 school renewal projects are completed or underway.
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Find out what projects are being built in your community.
Contacts
Seirge LeBlanc
Press Secretary
416-212-6020
Anne Smith
Media Relations Co-ordinator
416-327-7226