RCCAO Press Releases

Toronto - July 6, 2006

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Leveraging Private Sector Critical to Infrastructure Investment

Infrastructure Report Provides Real Solutions

Toronto - July 6, 2006 - The Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO) officially presented its latest report titled: The Infrastructure Funding Deficit: Time to Act to the Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal, David Caplan on June 29, 2006.

The report highlights the current government's initiatives and investments into the infrastructure deficit and provides innovative cost solutions to the public infrastructure deficit by outlining the benefits of involving the private sector in the delivery of capital for infrastructure.

The report also makes a number of recommendations on how to bridge the infrastructure gap. RCCAO Chairman Phil Rubinoff stated that "Queen's Park recognizes that alternative financing strategies are key to increasing infrastructure investment. Now that a growth plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe has been announced, there is a real urgency in rolling out a comprehensive infrastructure plan." The well-established link between investment in public infrastructure and economic competitiveness means Ontario must act now if it is to avoid a widening infrastructure gap.

Some recommendations in the report were as follows:

• Encourage more innovative alternative financial and procurement [AFP] relationships using private or non-government funds to invest in Ontario
• Create a stable investment environment and regular flow of AFP infrastructure projects through sustained political commitment, consistency and legislation
• Standardize AFP Project risk allocation models, tendering processes, bidding processes, contracts and evaluation procedures
• Develop strong communication programs to support the process and educate the public

Rubinoff went on to explain that "Not only is infrastructure and investment renewal important to Ontario's economy but it will create more high paying jobs. In addition, engaging the private sector is necessary given the fact that government simply does not have the resources required to finance and build the many needed critical infrastructure projects."

The RCCAO is an alliance composed of management and labour groups that represent all facets of the construction industry. Its stakeholders stem from the residential and civil sectors of the construction industry creating one unified voice. The RCCAO's goal is to work in cooperation with governments and related stakeholders to offer realistic solutions to a variety of challenges facing the construction industry.

For more information about the RCCAO and a copy of the report, please contact:

Phil Rubinoff
RCCAO
905-760-7777