A local politician will be part of a group lobbying the province to improve Ontario’s infrastructure. Highlands East Mayor Dave Burton was elected as the third Vice-President of the Ontario Good Roads Association by its Board of Directors.
The association’s top mandate is to advocate for municipalities when it comes to transportation issues, such as roads, bridges and public transit. The O.G.R.A. also lobbies the government for infrastructure spending as well. Burton says he will be using his position to push for more funding from both upper levels of government for Highlands East and Haliburton County
According to a report published last year by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the province would need to spend nearly $5 billion to bring its roads and bridges up to par. The county’s share of that is $3,717,021.
Burton is no stranger to the association’s Board of Directors. His previous role was as director for Southeast Ontario. He adds that he considers high-speed internet access infrastructure and will be bringing the lack of access to the service in the county to the association’s attention.
Burton adds his new role will have him attending meetings in Toronto four or five times a year.
A.M.O. report shows local share of provincial infrastructure deficit