b'MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AVENUESDEPARTMENTAvenues is published forThe Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association 5720 Timberlea Blvd., Suite 103 Mississauga, ON L4W 4W2 Achieving aTel: 905-507-0711 www.GravelFacts.caworld-classPublisher Robert ThompsonOntario OSSGA Editor Carly HolmsteadEditor Roma IhnatowyczNational Sales Executives Dawn Stokes, Derek de Weerdt,Bill Biber, April HawkesT his issue of Avenues shines a light on the pressing infrastructureSenior Design Specialist Avenues is printed on 10% post-consumer FSC certified paper using soya based inks. When necessary to mail an issue in an enclosure, we use an environmentally-friendly, 100% oxo-degradable poly-wrap.challenge that lies ahead of us in Ontario. Our province isMarisa Giesbrechtexperiencingrapidpopulationgrowth,andwithitcomesDesign Specialist theurgentneedfor1.5millionnewhomes.However,Bethany Giesbrechtconstructingthesehomesisnotenough;wemustalso develop the complementary infrastructure necessary to support theseAVENUES is published for thecommunities, including expanded transit systems, hospitals, schoolsOntario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association by: and roads.The provincial government has recently taken steps to remove barriersthroughproposedupdatestotheProvincialPlanning33 South Station Street Statement and easing some of the policies and regulations that applyToronto, ON M9N 2B2 to site approvals and amendments. These steps will undoubtedly help,1-866-480-4717 but we must acknowledge that there is still a long way to go before weEmail: robertt@mediaedge.cacan meet our infrastructure demands adequately. 531 Marion Street To build thriving communities and robust infrastructure, we mustWinnipeg, MB R2J 0J9 work collaboratively at all levels of government. It is crucial to find1-866-201-3096 common ground and, especially, to stop the fight once the decisionFax: (204) 480-4420 has been made. Delaying projects due to NIMBYism (Not In Mywww.mediaedgepublishing.comBackyard) only serves to increase costs for everyone involved andPresident hinders the timely completion of essential projects required to meet theKevin Browngrowth requirements in our province.Both municipal and provincial governments can also be the culprit sometimes, especially when youSenior Vice President consider the political temptation to tinker with things like transit plans. Robert ThompsonTo achieve our vision of a world-class Ontario, we must prioritizeDirector, Business Development nimble governance and the intelligent allocation of scarce resources.Michael BellThis means optimizing the use of available resources to ensure thatBranch Manager our infrastructure is built and maintained in the most cost-effectiveNancie Privmanner possible. The article in this issue on why we need to use as much excess soil in our rehabilitation of aggregate sites as possible isAll rights reserved. The contents of this publication a great example. may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the A key aspect of better resource management is fostering a deeperassociation.understandingamongthepublic.WemustcommunicatethePublished September 2023 importance of infrastructure projects and how they contribute to thePUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT #40787580overall well-being of our individual communities. It is essential for the Please return undeliverable items to:The Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association5720 Timberlea Blvd., Suite 1036 AVENUESFALL 2023 Mississauga, ONL4W 4W2'