Ontario Construction News staff writer
Two of Ontario’s largest construction industry associations visited Queen’s Park last week, warning that the province’s infrastructure ambitions are at risk without immediate government action.
The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) and the Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (OSSGA) held a joint lobby day at the legislature Thursday, meeting with MPPs and senior government officials to press for stable investment, faster permitting and harmonized construction standards.
Both groups say their industries—critical to delivering roads, bridges, transit and other public works—are facing delays, demand drops and red tape that could derail Ontario’s $200-billion infrastructure plan.
“Ontario’s roads, bridges and transit systems all begin with aggregate and end with asphalt,” said Malcolm Croskery, chair of ORBA and president of Pioneer Construction. “Today’s joint advocacy is about breaking down the silos that exist between planning, permitting and procurement. We’re sending a clear message: our sectors are aligned and ready to deliver—now we need government to keep pace.”
Ontario has earmarked $30 billion for highways and $61 billion for transit, part of a broader strategy aimed at building and renewing infrastructure over the next decade. But ORBA and OSSGA say those plans are in jeopardy if government policies don’t evolve to meet the urgency of the work.
The associations are calling on Queen’s Park to fast-track aggregate approvals, expand adoption of the Ontario Provincial Standards System across municipalities and ensure a steady flow of shovel-ready projects to avoid seasonal work stoppages and job losses.
“Our members are the foundation of Ontario’s growth, but we’re facing real challenges—demand is down, permitting is slow and uncertainty is high,” said John MacKay, chair of OSSGA and vice-president at Green Infrastructure Partners. “We’re proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with ORBA today. The future of Ontario’s infrastructure depends on the collaboration between material suppliers and builders—and the government policies that enable us.”
