Latest news with #InfrastructureOntario
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Procurement process for new Windsor/Essex Acute Care Hospital delayed 3 months
The site of the new Windsor Acute Care Hospital near the intersection of County Rd 42 and Concession Road 9 as seen on April 22, 2025. (Gary Archibald/CTV News Windsor) The procurement process for the new Windsor/Essex Acute Care Hospital will be delayed by three month, according to a market update released by Infrastructure Ontario on Thursday. The market update informs the public on key updates to major construction projects, like the new mega hospital. The update anticipates that the procurement process will happen between July and September 2025,approximately three months later than the last market update, where RFQ was forecast between April-June 2025. A news release from Windsor Regional Hospital said this revised timeline does not impact the scope of the hospital project and is largely a result of the evolving national and international construction market conditions such as supply chain disruptions, inflationary cost increases, skilled labour shortages and those caused by the tariffs imposed by the President of the United States. In response to these shifts and feedback from the construction industry, WRH officials say they continue to move forward with the new hospital as quickly and cost efficiently as possible. The project includes an enabling works component which consists of the construction of education and administration spaces, a parking structure, and essential site infrastructure to lay the groundwork for our hospital. This first phase of the project remains on schedule with groundbreaking expected early 2026 – if not sooner. WRH officials expect to announcing a successful proponent for this part of the project this summer. 'This adjustment is both prudent and strategic. It positions us effectively to navigate the current industry landscape while remaining fully committed to delivering a world-class acute care hospital that our community needs and deserves,' said Karen Riddell, acting president and CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital. Windsor Regional Hospital and project leadership continue to work closely with the Ministry of Health and Infrastructure Ontario to advance the second phase of the project. WRH User Group teams representing all hospital programs and services have held more than 200 meetings this year alone, with many more actively underway. WRH continues to work with the Ministry of Health and Infrastructure Ontario to advance the project towards RFQ this summer. The new hospital represents the largest healthcare infrastructure investment in the region's history. 'Delivering the new Windsor/Essex Acute Care Hospital remains one of our government's top local priorities, and I'm proud to stand behind this incredible project that will transform health care for families across Windsor Essex,' said Andrew Dowie, MPP for Windsor–Tecumseh. 'Our hospital represents more than just bricks and mortar — it's a long-term investment in the well-being of our community. The progress we're making reflects our government's responsible planning, strong leadership, and unwavering commitment to the people of our region,' said Essex MPP Anthony Leardi. WRH officials said they are committed to full transparency and will provide continuous project updates to the community via the hospital's website.
Hamilton Spectator
08-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Burlington says these infrastructure projects are ready to go should Trump trade war lead to stimulus funding
Burlington city staff identified nine local infrastructure projects that could be submitted for provincial or federal stimulus funding. Last month, city council directed staff to review the 10-year capital project plan and provide a list of 'infrastructure projects that could be quickly advanced if stimulus programs are announced' for the May 12 committee of the whole meeting. A staff report states the listed projects 'could be advanced from their current proposed year if external funding was to be provided … to proactively deliver infrastructure projects that could assist limiting the impacts of International Trade Policies,' including tariffs. Staff recommend city councillors receive the report and list for information. The list includes a range of projects and timelines to provide options for future funding applications. The identified projects are currently proposed for completion between 2026 and 2031 — but could be completed earlier if stimulus funds are announced. Criteria for selecting projects included: preference to projects that don't require partnership with Halton Region or a neighbouring municipality; ability to obtain necessary permits from external agencies; work that can be completed within three or five years from the award of any stimulus funding; projects with Canadian content that don't rely on international components. Staff note criteria for any external stimulus funding is not known yet, and there will be additional staff time required to prepare and submit funding applications for any of the nine projects. The report also states stimulus programs from upper governments normally require the municipality to fund a portion of approved projects. Recently re-elected Burlington MP Karina Gould said she looks forward to supporting Burlington's infrastructure applications at the federal level. 'The Government of Canada will be introducing a Speech from the Throne on May 27 that will outline our priorities for this upcoming session of Parliament,' Gould said in a statement issued by her office. 'I will absolutely keep Burlingtonians updated when more details are available.' Ontario Premier Doug Ford said during the 2025 provincial election campaign that his government would invest in an infrastructure stimulus package to face a trade war with the United States. Burlington MPP Natalie Pierre's office, and Infrastructure Ontario, did not respond to requests for comment by deadline. Burlington Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Terry Caddo had not reviewed the list of identified projects, but said: 'It is good governance to have projects ready to go if additional funding becomes available.' City View Park improvement is one of several projects Burlington city staff say could be completed earlier than planned under anticipated federal and provincial stimulus funds.
CBC
16-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
Province grilled over Therme's credentials to build luxury spa at Ontario Place
Critics are once again slamming the provincial government's plan to build a luxury spa on the former site of Ontario Place — this time over allegations that the company set to run the multi-billion-dollar project misrepresented itself and exaggerated its experience in order to secure the deal. Those claims are part of a New York Times story, based on corporate filings in three countries and interviews with a dozen people involved in Therme's operations, which found that the company falsely presented itself as having operated as many as half a dozen spas in Europe, when in reality it had only built and operated just one. The report also says that as the European company was pitching its vision for the prime lakefront property, it was losing money and had less than $1.6 million in equity. CBC News has not independently verified those findings and has reached out to Therme for comment. At Queen's Park Wednesday, Liberal MPP John Fraser said the reporting was "stunning" — as it uncovered a company with one small spa, a million dollars in equity, and an "interconnected web of shell companies." "Yet somehow they convinced the premier that they had a global track record. It didn't just stretch the truth, it led the premier down the garden path — and Infrastructure Ontario signed right off on it," Fraser said. "So why did the premier greenlight a 95-year-deal with a company that inflated its portfolio and couldn't pass a basic financial sniff test?" WATCH | What the AG report on Ontario Place found: Ontario Place redevelopment not 'fair, transparent or accountable,' auditor general finds 4 months ago Duration 4:49 According to the province's auditor general, the process for selecting new tenants for Ontario Place wasn't transparent or fair. CBC's Lorenda Reddekopp breaks down some of the key findings from the scathing section of the annual report. In response, Minister of Infrastructure Kinga Surma said that Therme passed the financial test conducted by Infrastructure Ontario, which she called a "world-renowned, arms-length agency." Pressed in further questions, Surma repeatedly pivoted to talking about the number of jobs that would be created both through construction and operation of the spa. Surma also said the province has "done this dance already," when it comes to questioning the project, mentioning audits and a recent review. In a report from late last year, the province's auditor general found that the cost of the redevelopment of Ontario Place has ballooned by more than $1.8 billion, and the process for selecting new tenants for the prized lakefront property wasn't transparent or fair. Fraser asked Wednesday if Premier Doug Ford would throw out this deal, like he did when he cut ties with Elon Musk's Starlink, or when the province backed away from its redevelopment plans for The Greenbelt. "No, we will not," Surma responded, again lauding Infrastructure Ontario's credentials. Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner, however, called on the province to do exactly that, in addition to exploring a "made in Ontario solution" for the space.
