Ontario Helping Contain Costs of Building New Homes

TORONTO: The Ontario government has introduced The Building Infrastructure Safely Act, 2023, that, if passed, would prohibit underground infrastructure owners and operators from charging fees to locate telecommunications lines, water mains and gas pipelines.

From planting a tree in your yard to large commercial construction, a locate is required before construction begins for a new home, subway line or highspeed internet cabling. The new legislation would help protect the public from damages to critical infrastructure and keep costs down for construction projects.

“We need to build critical infrastructure faster and smarter to support our growing communities,” said Todd McCarthy, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery. “Banning locate fees would stem the possibility of spiralling costs that delay construction projects and increase costs. Our bill, if passed, would help streamline the process to ensure projects like improving transit, connecting more people to high-speed internet and getting homes built more efficiently.”

Minister Todd McCarthy

The free-of-charge locate system is consistent with a longstanding industry practice across Canada and the United States.

“Our government is building a stronger Ontario by leading the most ambitious capital plan in the province’s history,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “This includes investing over $185 billion to revitalize schools, hospitals, public transit, roads, housing, and provide access to high-speed internet for every community across the province by the end of 2025. The proposed changes to the locate delivery system will get key infrastructure projects built more efficiently, while ensuring communities across Ontario benefit from these projects.”

“Our government is keeping costs down and making it easier to build the housing, roads and public transit,” said Todd Smith, Minister of Energy.

“The Building Infrastructure Safely Act would ensure projects can be built cost-effectively while protecting our workers and the pipes and wires that keep our province powered/connected.”

• In 2022, Ontario One Call coordinated 1.2 million requests for locate services.