The Ontario government is looking to market public-private partnership savvy beyond provincial borders. Minister of Infrastructure Monte McNaughton has announced plans to test the global appetite for consulting services, leveraging the expertise of the crown agency that has overseen the development of dozens of major institutional construction projects.

“Infrastructure Ontario is known around the world for developing public-private partnerships that deliver complex infrastructure for the people of Ontario,” says McNaughton, who is attending the 2019 Infrastructure Investor Global Summit in Berlin.

That includes completion of 40 new or expanded health care facilities and 10 courthouses with associated detention centres. Currently 25 construction projects, collectively valued at $18.4 billion, are in progress under Infrastructure Ontario’s auspices, while 12 additional projects, worth $7 billion, are in the planning stages.

McNaughton promised forthcoming legislation to expand the agency’s mandate and two pilot projects to gauge potential market interest. Infrastructure Ontario already has experience responding to outside requests for guidance.

“We have hosted delegations from dozens of jurisdictions from around the world looking to learn from our exemplary track record,” reports Ehren Cory, the crown agency’s president and chief executive officer. “We look forward to this opportunity to continue to support others as they develop their own markets.”

Under the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), Canadian entities will be able to bid on government contracts, such as infrastructure projects, in EU nations. The envisioned advisory role for Infrastructure Ontario might help open more doors.

“This initiative will undoubtedly provide Ontario-based businesses with a competitive edge in key international markets,” predicts John M. Beck, executive chairman of Aecon Group.