Election Wish List Part Two: ‘Construction Expeditors,’ infrastructure investment top these wish lists

Ontario’s election is now just two days away. The party leaders have released their platforms, the tariff battle wages on, and the last few campaign stops are underway. But have the leaders addressed the specific needs of the construction industry?

The Daily Commercial News is featuring part two of our election wish list coverage today, which includes requests from several industry stakeholders, this time with an emphasis on changing how contracts are carried out; continued critical infrastructure investment; and expediting projects so builders can continue to build up this province.

*Some submissions were edited for editorial brevity.

ONTARIO GENERAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION

For the OGCA a key request is to reduce the red tape that surrounds public project construction and remove overly burdensome contract conditions in public sector and broader public sector project procurement

The association has many thoughts on how this could be done, along with other suggestions to help better the construction industry landscape.

Create a high level team of “Construction Expeditors” who would act as both a single point of contact and a liaison between the construction industry and facility/utility owners. The government could ensure the “Construction Expeditors” would remind facility/utility owners of their obligation to respond to construction industry requests within a prescribed period of time and they would
also have the authority to levy penalties.
The ICI construction industry needs a standardized contract addressing risk in a fair, equitable and balanced fashion, that is not subject to countless pages of supplementary conditions. One standardized contact should apply to all public and broader public sector entities who procure construction: municipalities, hospitals, schools and others.
Expand the existing Specialized Trades Exploration Program (STEP) to Construction program to more school boards across Ontario — allowing more students exposure and access to the skilled trades. The OGCA strongly recommends the government adopt this program and expand it systematically across the provinces’ school boards and that teachers receive education on the benefits of careers in the trades.

RESIDENTIAL AND CIVIL CONSTRUCTION ALLIANCE OF ONTARIO

The RCCAO is pointing out that in Ontario critical infrastructure development has not kept pace with the growing demands of the province. While recent investments have begun to close that gap, there are still improvements to be made. Here are the association’s requests.

Continue to catch up on Ontario’s critical infrastructure needs. In particular, the concrete advancement of Highway 413, the Bradford Bypass, the Ontario Line, GO transit expansion, and other transit projects, which are transformational.
Increasing the amount and standardizing the regulations for the use of recycled crushed aggregates to 20 per cent of road projects. Harmonizing the provincial regulations as a requirement for municipal projects would realize savings and environmental benefits for all involved.
The timely and predictable delivery of locates will always be an important part of building the critical housing and infrastructure that Ontario needs. Delayed locates create havoc on sites and are a hidden cost driver on projects across the province. Eliminating redundant relocate requirements on deep excavation projects would enhance efficiency, reduce delays and address a critical bottleneck in construction timelines. Not only would this reduce delays, but likely also increase Ontario One Call’s ability to meet its legislated performance standards, benefiting projects large and small.

BRADFORDBYPASS.CA — Among the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario’s election asks is the continued catch up and investment of the province’s infrastructure needs. In particular, the concrete advancement of the Bradford Bypass as well as other major projects.

ONTARIO SEWER AND WATERMAIN CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION

OSWCA is taking look at policy issues that are getting in the way of actually building, because every delay that pushes investments in infrastructure out further comes with a cost and a greater burden for the next generation to deal with, the association states. They are asking the following.

A commitment to continuing to invest in municipal infrastructure.
Municipal infrastructure projects getting out into the market faster. Specifically, a reformed process for how provincial funding is distributed to municipalities. The association would like to see municipal projects be eligible for funding even if construction has already started. This will boost the market and encourage municipalities to tender even more work.

ONTARIO LINE ON X — Major excavation will continue shaping Toronto’s newest subway route downtown, explains Metrolinx in a post on X regarding Ontario Line construction.

A long-term solution to ensure critical infrastructure continues to get built. The OSWCA has long advocated for a provincial rate setting model for water and wastewater infrastructure that would require all systems to be operated on a full-cost pricing model with dedicated reserves. This will ensure that revenue generated by these assets stays with them, to fund their operation, maintenance, rehabilitation and replacement. Having a utility pricing model for water and wastewater will also ensure that infrastructure funding from upper levels of government is dedicated to projects that do not have the ability to generate revenue (e.g. roads, bridges).