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We are on the right path. After having announced a historic $144
billion in infrastructure spending over the next 10 years at the
annual conference of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario,
we are going to need more carpenters, electricians, painters,
boilermakers, plumbers and others to perform this work. These are
well-paying, important jobs.
The government respects the collective bargaining process as a
mechanism to resolve labour disputes. Productive labour relations
support economic growth.

We want to continue to work with all stakeholders towards achieving
that goal.
Across Ontario we are investing in projects to get people moving, With respect to concerns about a “right-to-work” law, Minister Monte
such as the multi-billion dollar GO Rail Expansion Program, and McNaughton has made it clear that we have no interest in going
supporting municipal transit priorities across the province, such as down that path. Our Government wants to have an open dialogue
(Stage 2 of) the Ottawa LRT project. with unions. While we will not always agree on everything, labour
leaders, workers and employers should be reassured that they can
In addition to these commitments, the government has prioritized
bring their concerns to find common ground.
new infrastructure investments and is working with other levels of
government to move forward with transit projects that will bring Peter:
benefits to communities and continue to support municipalities Do you have any thoughts and/or messages you would like to
through the existing Gas Tax program. convey to Canada’s Building Trades Unions over 500,000 members
as we head toward the fall election and do you have any questions
The Province is also making smart investments in highways, roads
for us?
and bridges, and is strengthening and expanding its highway
network. Premier Ford:
Our Government for the People remains united in purpose to put
The majority of the highway funding is for rehabilitation of our
the people first in every decision that we make. We are dedicated
existing network, to keep our highways in a state of good repair and
to a thoughtful approach rooted in our core commitments to build
make safety and operational improvements.
Ontario’s future as a place to grow and protect what matters most.
Examples of highway projects that are in the planning and design
• Increasing the number of lanes on Highway 401 from the Credit
stages, or already underway, include:
River Bridge in Mississauga to Regional Road 25 in Milton; and
• Four-laning sections of Highway 69 and Highway 11/17 in the
• Rehabilitating westbound core-collector lanes between Neilson
North, including stretches of Highway 17 between Kenora and
Road and Wilson Avenue in Toronto, and eastbound core-collector
the Manitoba border;
lanes between Neilson Road in Toronto and Whites Road in
• Planning for the widening of and improving safety on 128
Pickering.
kilometres of Highway 401 Tilbury to London;
Peter:
Following the conclusion of the pilots, the Government will use the
Community Benefit Agreements have proven to be a very successful
lessons learned to determine next steps.
model for building local labour, contractor and supply chain capacity.
The Ministry of Infrastructure continues to encourage project They also offer great training and job opportunities to
sponsors to work with partners to undertake community benefits underrepresented groups. Would your government consider utilizing
initiatives in circumstances where they deem it appropriate. CBA’s with new infrastructure projects as a way to build Ontario
capacity and expertise?
Peter:
There is concern, with the wave of Conservative Governments Premier Ford:
elected at the provincial level, that some are talking about right- to- Under the Infrastructure for Jobs and Prosperity Act government
work-style legislation. We know that stable labour relations are entities must consider principles such as promoting community
important to your government. Is this something your government benefits when making decisions respecting infrastructure.
is looking at?
Five Community Benefits pilot projects were announced in April
Premier Ford: 2018. These pilot projects could provide an opportunity to test out
Our Government for the People will chart a fair and reasonable different approaches to implementing community benefits.
course. Our goal is to preside over an era of peace and prosperity
– for both labour and business. Our Government has created
126,000 new full-time jobs since taking office. The unemployment
rate is 5.7 percent. Wages have risen three percent since last year
– higher than the rate of inflation.

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