Stephen Hamilton is a former senior policy advisor on municipal and planning issues at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

The money includes funding from the federal Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and will be used to fund projects in long-term care, education and municipalities.

A recent decision has approved the use of reprisal clauses in public tenders, which have the effect of disqualifying a party from bidding if they have been recently engaged in litigation with the owner. Such provisions are currently utilized by dozens of municipalities across Canada.

The mayors of Ontario’s 29 largest cities met with the federal and provincial infrastructure ministers on October 15 to deliver a call for urgent and swift funding assistance. The call echoes those issued by construction groups.

The province has invested $8.7 million toward the planning and design of the new facility. Once complete, it will add six in-patient beds, as well as new technology to support better patient care.