Investment plans in Ontario and Quebec

The government of Ontario has announced plans to review the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, the Greenbelt Plan, the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and the Niagara Escarpment Plan. The Cement Association of Canada (CAC) welcomes the announcement, which it says will be key to Ontario developing a comprehensive approach to building an economically and environmentally sustainable region.

The CAC says that the cement and concrete industry will be working with its partners at the Cornerstone Standards Council over the course of the review. In January, the Council released the world’s first voluntary standard for the responsible siting, operation and rehabilitation of aggregate pits and quarries. This voluntary standard will help improve the process for approving aggregate operations while ensuring Ontarians have access to local, environmentally sustainable aggregates.

Michael McSweeney, President and CEO of the CAC, says: “We welcome the government’s decision to conduct a joint review of these important urban and environmental plans. Our industry is helping build the Greater Golden Horseshoe in a way that is environmentally and economically sustainable and we look forward to working hand-in-hand with the government to ensure the long term sustainability and vibrancy of such an important region of the country.”

Also in Ontario, the government is seeking input to renew the province’s Mineral Development Strategy by releasing a discussion paper as well as a progress report highlighting work and achievements in the sector since 2006. Workshops will be held across Ontario over the next three months to provide opportunities for industry, Aboriginal communities and other community partners to respond to the province’s proposed themes for a renewed Mineral Development Strategy. In a statement, the government of Ontario says that the renewed strategy will address a number of key drivers in the mining sector, including:

• Raising capital for prospecting, exploration and mineral development.
• Building Aboriginal partnerships and opportunities.
• Competitive production and transportation costs.
• Technologies to improve discovery rates and identify new ore reserves.
• Future labour market opportunities.

Meanwhile, in Quebec, investments of CAN$4.9 billion have been announced for a series of road improvements over the next three years. The majority of the money will be spent on the maintenance of old overpasses and bridges.

Edited from various sources by Katherine Guenioui

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/03032015/investment-plans-in-ontario-and-quebec-437/