Human Resources Legislative Update
Ontario Introduces Bill 141, Infrastructure for Jobs and Prosperity Act
Date: November 27, 2013
On November 26, 2013, the Ontario government introduced Bill 141, the Infrastructure for Jobs and Prosperity Act, 2013, at First Reading. If passed, this legislation would establish legislative and regulatory mechanisms intended to “encourage principled, evidence-based and strategic long-term infrastructure planning that supports job creation and training opportunities, economic growth and protection of the environment, and to incorporate design excellence into infrastructure planning” (s. 1).
In particular, the Bill would require the government and certain broader public sector entities as defined in s. 2 to consider prescribed infrastructure planning principles when making decisions with respect to infrastructure. These principles include:
- taking a long-term view with respect to infrastructure planning and investment, and remaining mindful of demographic and economic trends in Ontario, as well as any applicable budgets or fiscal plans;
- identifying clear priorities and promoting economic competitiveness, productivity, job creation and training opportunities;
- ensuring the continued provision of core public services, such as health care and education;
- fostering innovation through adoption of innovative technologies, services and practices;
- ensuring infrastructure planning and investment is evidence-based and transparent;
- remaining mindful of established, non-binding provincial or municipal plans or strategies;
- minimizing environmental impact; and
- any other principles that may be prescribed.
