Building What? Together

The province released its "Building Together" Plan a document that spells out the plan for infrastructure for the next 10 years.  It reads like an election platform, rather than a policy document- as if someone said let's throw this one at the wall to see if it sticks. If it does, then maybe we'll get re-elected??

Most importantly for Milton there was no firm commitment for a hospital expansion.  The section of the report applicable to that: Completing the 27 major hospital projects under construction, and continuing to invest in hospital expansions and redevelopment projects, subject to fiscal capacity. The plan also indicates the province will commit to 3-5 expansions/ redevelopment projects... subject to fiscal capacity- a phrase that will get them out of a lot of promises.

My understanding of the funding process is that prior to the release of the provincial government's latest budget, Milton along with other municipalities made a presentation to the province on why they deserve funding for the hospital or infrastructure project.  That list was then wheedled down to 50 deserving communities, which, was supposed to be released before legislature was prorogued. This document doesn't spell out many specifics, and that not only hurts Milton, but all Ontarians.

Another disappointment to Milton: the post-secondary education portion of the plan.  Recently the province decided that it should have the only say on where satellite campuses should go.  Never mind the needs of an institution.  Never mind the fact Laurier has land, and a willing partner in Sheridan College or the fact the town is the fastest growing in t he country, and among the youngest.  the province still needs to say "yes."  There are provisions in the plan for more universities and colleges, but again, as with healthcare they're vague. 

It's a contradiction too.  The Liberals want 407 expansion, Essex-Windsor highway- both will make it easier  for commercial traffic to cross the borders.  They want to add to the HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lanes, and build at least 500 centreline-kilometres of highway where warranted by growth and demand.  What happened to the environmentally friendly Liberals? The ones that created Metrolinx, worked with the City of Toronto to change Transit City?  Giving us still more ways to put more cars on the road, goes counterpoint to that doesn't it.  Speaking of Transit, this is where Milton does get something: A promise of trains that are at least 12 cars.  Something that should probably have happened around a decade ago.

I know this is a ten year plan, and a lot can change in a decade; subject to fiscal capacity.  But where's the vision? Where's the creativity? The Progressive Conservatives have policy for families that can be clearly applied to their everyday lives.  The Liberals- at least the ones who are in the provincial government right now are vague.  Why not have a plan that would make that phrase "subject to fiscal capacity" a thing of the past?

This plan is unimaginative.  Ontario is facing a multi-billion dollar shortfall, failing infrastructure, and an aging population.  What's needed is creative ideas that will solve problems. The Liberals want to build together. Build what together? Because you're going to need to be a lot more specific than this.