Open Letter to Provincial Party Leaders to Debate Infrastructure, Transportation and Transit Plan

OAKVILLE, ON, May 29, 2014 /CNW/ - A broad consortium of organizations with members that build, design, manage and own the vast majority of Ontario's infrastructure, transportation networks and transit systems has issued an open letter to the leaders of Ontario's four main political parties calling on them to hold a debate to elaborate on their infrastructure, transportation and transit plans.  OGRA was a signatory along with:

• Association of Ontario Road Supervisors (AORS);
• Municipal Engineers Association (MEA);
• Municipal Finance Officers' Association of Ontario (MFOA);
• Ontario Public Transit Association (OPTA);
• Ontario Road Builders' Association (ORBA);
• Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO);
• Transport Futures; and
• Water Environment Association of Ontario (WEAO).

The signatories to this letter believe that there are significant economic and social benefits that will result from infrastructure investment and proper asset management.  If the province is to improve its productivity and provide people with the tools needed to be competitive in the 21^st century, a comprehensive long-term plan is required.  A debate between the party leaders offers the best opportunity for Ontarians to assess each party's plan.  

Hon. Kathleen Wynne
Ms. Andrea Horwath
Mr. Tim Hudak
Mr. Mike Schreiner

What an election is for.

Dear  Leaders:

The June 12 election  is a vitally  important  opportunity for Ontarians  to  participate in  the management of their government.  This  is a democratic  process that  goes to the  very  heart of what it means  to be an  Ontarian,  of  what  it  means  to  be  a  Canadian. 

Whether  in  Moosenee  or  Wheatley,  Cornwall  or  Kenora  or  the  corner  of  Bay  and  King,  Ontarians  are  eager  to  assess  your  candidates  and  your  ideas. 

In  particular,  Ontarians  want  to  understand  how  a  government  led  by  you  would  act  on  the  infrastructure,  transportation  and  transit  files. 

Ontarians know that  there are significant economic and  social benefits  that  result from infrastructure  investment and  proper asset management.  If the  province  is  to  improve  its  productivity  and  provide  people  with  the  tools  needed  to  be  competitive  in  the  21st  century,  a  comprehensive  long-term  plan  in  required.   

We,  the  undersigned, are calling  on you to hold  an  all-party  leaders  debate  dedicated to elaborating on your  plans  and  visions  for infrastructure,  transportation  and  transit  in  Ontario. 

Please  show  the  people  of  Ontario  that  time  spent  debating  important  issues  is  indeed time  well  spent    

Sincerely, 

John  Cane 
President 
Association  of  Ontario  Road 
Supervisors  (AORS) 

Dan  Cozzi,  P.Eng. 
President 
Municipal  Engineers  Association 
(MEA) 

Mona  Monkman 
President 
Municipal  Finance  Officers' 
Association  of  Ontario  (MFOA) 

Tom  Bateman,  P.Eng. 
President 
Ontario  Good  Roads  Association 
(OGRA) 

Norm  Cheesman 
Executive  Director 
Ontario  Public  Transit  Association 
(OPTA) 

Geoff  Wilkinson 
Executive  Director 
Ontario  Road  Builder's  Association 
(ORBA) 

Phil  Rubinoff 
Chair 
Residential  and  Civil  Construction 
Alliance  of  Ontario  (RCCAO) 

Martin  Collier 
Founder 
Transport  Futures 

Lyle  Shipley 
Executive  Director 
Water  Environment  Association of  Ontario 
(WEAO) 

SOURCE: Ontario Good Roads Association

Should you have any questions please feel free to contact Scott Butler, OGRA's Manager of Policy and Research at 289-291-6472 ext 24 or [email protected].