Ontario Construction News staff writer
Industry leaders, government officials, and experts gathered in Vaughan on Friday for the annual Infrastructure Summit hosted by the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce, discussing how strategic investments in infrastructure can drive economic growth and address Ontario’s housing challenges.
With tariffs affecting the province’s export economy and housing affordability dominating public policy debates, speakers highlighted the critical role infrastructure plays in supporting long-term prosperity.
Discussions focused on boosting economic competitiveness, harnessing infrastructure’s multiplier effect during economic slowdowns, and increasing capacity to meet the needs of a rapidly growing province.
“Our government is making historic investments in highways, roads, and transit infrastructure to keep Ontario competitive in the face of global economic uncertainty,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “These investments strengthen our economy, create thousands of good-paying jobs, and ensure our province is ready to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population.”
The government is also streamlining approvals to accelerate infrastructure projects.
“These investments aren’t just about building faster; they’re about securing Ontario’s long-term competitiveness, creating jobs, and making life more affordable for families and businesses,” said Andrea Khanjin, Minister of Red Tape Reduction.
The summit addressed factors contributing to the housing crisis, including high taxation on new homebuilding, development charges, and the need to streamline approval processes across the province.
“Vaughan’s growth is a preview of what the rest of Ontario will experience over the next decade,” said Abdus Samad, vice-president of government affairs and strategic initiatives at the Vaughan Chamber. “If we want families and businesses to succeed, we need infrastructure decisions that match that pace; on roads, transit, housing, energy systems and core services like water and wastewater.
“Accelerating projects efficiently is key to long-term economic competitiveness.”
The Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO) partnered with the Vaughan Chamber on the forum, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between government and industry to meet Ontario’s infrastructure needs.
“In times of economic uncertainty, investment in infrastructure is even more vital — it creates jobs, supports businesses, and provides the stable foundation communities need to thrive, both now and into the future,” RCCAO executive director Nadia Todorova said in a statement.
