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OSSGA commends Ontario’s capital budget

MISSISSAUGA – The Ontario Stone, Sand and Gravel Association released a statement last week endorsing the province’s newly-revealed budget, which supports Premier Doug Ford and the Ontario government’s 10-year capital plan of investing more than $190 billion into developing the province’s infrastructure.

“Nothing gets built without aggregate,” said Michael McSweeney, Executive Director of OSSGA. “That applies to everything. Transportation corridors, schools, hospitals, recreational facilities and houses. The aggregate industry is proud to provide the essential raw materials that bring infrastructure to life. We’re pleased the Ontario government recognizes the pivotal role played by local pits and quarries as the foundation of the construction process, fostering a resilient and thriving Ontario.”

Central to the Ford government’s 10-year plan is a strong investment in highways, transit, bridges, infrastructure and residential construction; with all of these projects central in expediting and supporting the construction of 1.5 million homes to both support and grow Ontario’s population.

Last week’s budget revealed a number of new projects that intersect with the aggregate industry. This includes roadbuilding initiatives such as new interchanges in Windsor and Ottawa, expanding Highway 7 outside of Markham from two to four lanes, extending Highway 7 from Kitchener to Guelph and the construction of highways including Highway 413, the Bardford Bypass and Northern Ontario’s highway network.

A number of public transportation investments were also included in the budget, with plans to expand the Milton GO rail, extend the Hazel McCallion Light Rail Transit Line and revive the Northlander rail line.

“Each of these projects calls for tens of thousands of tonnes of aggregate,” McSweeney said.  “The aggregate industry is looking forward to working with the provincial and municipal governments, Indigenous Communities, and the public to ensure the close-to-market supply of high-quality aggregate to get these jobs done, and to lay the foundation for more homes in Ontario, faster.”