OSPE - The Voice - May 2019 - 10

ADVOCACY IN ACTION

INFRASTRUCTURE

Budget 2019 commits to $11.2 billion to support the four following projects:
1. Yonge North Subway Extension
2. Scarborough Subway Extension
3. Eglinton Crosstown West Extension
4. Ontario Line (a new subway that aims to be a more functional version
of the downtown relief line)
The government of Ontario is also moving forward with a private
sector partnership to optimize the use of government-owned land and
increase transit ridership, with a full upload of the TTC subway network
to provincial government.
OSPE commends the government's continued approach to invest
in infrastructure, which includes public transit and infrastructure that
supports trade and transportation. OSPE agrees that funding infrastructure
projects is a beneficial, long-term investment. However, given that funding
is finite, OSPE believes money must be spent wisely and hard decisions need
to be made in terms of which infrastructure projects get approved. OSPE
stresses to all levels of government that key decisions on infrastructure
should be evidence-based and made in consultation with infrastructure
experts, including engineers.
OSPE believes that Ontario should develop a transparent framework that
informs how infrastructure projects will be prioritized, sequenced, and
funded, including the mechanisms and models for funding. Ideally this
framework would be jointly developed by all levels of government, industry
participants, community organizations, and other interested parties.
Mehemed Delibasic, P.Eng., OSPE Infrastructure Task Force Chair
emphasizes the fact that "this framework would ensure that Ontario does
not over-promise and under-deliver on infrastructure projects and improve
community, industry, labour market, and government planning to meet the
needs of our growing provincial population and economy."
Engineers are key to the effective design and development of virtually
all aspects of infrastructure and should be placed at the forefront of those
who determine where funds should go so projects get done.

ENVIRONMENT

Budget 2019 saw $352 million in cuts to
spending on the environment. The budget
highlights the development of the government's
Preserving and Protecting Our Environment
for Future Generations: A Made in Ontario
Environment Plan, which was released in
November 2018.
Most environmental organizations throughout Ontario are disappointed
to the cuts in this portfolio. Greenpeace Canada characterized this
announcement as "the most anti-environmental budget in Ontario since
the deadly tainted-water disaster in Walkerton."

10

THE VOICE

Summer 2019

ENERGY

IMPROVING ELECTRICITY PROGRAMS AND
REFORMING INDUSTRIAL ELECTRICITY
PRICING

Budget 2019 commits to making electricity
bills more transparent and to lowering
electricity costs for residential, industrial,
farm and small business customers.
The government understands the
challenges to Ontario businesses caused
by the high cost of electricity, effecting the
ability of industrial businesses to compete
globally.
The government has launched a
stakeholder consultation period on industrial
electricity pricing, including a review of
existing pricing programs. OSPE will take
this opportunity to highlight the findings
and recommendations of our most recent
Retail Electricity Price Reform report during
this consultation process.
Paul Acchione, P.Eng., member of OSPE's
Energy Task Force applauds this consultation
process. "OSPE looks forward to working
with the Ontario government to develop
new solutions to Ontario's energy challenges.
Reliable, affordable and clean energy is a key
enabler of a prosperous modern society.
Engineers are key to finding solutions to
those challenges," Acchione said.
MODERNIZATION OF THE ONTARIO
ENERGY BOARD (OEB)

Informed by the OEB Modernization
Review Panel's report, the government will
modernize the OEB and will take steps
to reduce costs and regulatory burden,
promote regulatory excellence, and improve
organizational governance and independence
of the OEB.
Emily Thorn Corthay, P.Eng., OSPE
Board Director and Energy Task Force
Chair "commends the government for
its initiative to modernize the OEB and
for industry stakeholder consultations
for industrial electricity pricing. OSPE
recommends reforms to retail electricity
pricing as well, which will reduce energy
costs for homeowners and small & medium
businesses, while at the same time reducing
greenhouse gas emissions."
OSPE - The Voice - May 2019

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