Bill 70 Original (PDF)
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Bill amends the Metrolinx Act, 2006 and the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act.
The Metrolinx Act, 2006 is amended to add a new object for Metrolinx requiring it to promote and facilitate the integration of routes, fares and schedules of municipal bike share systems. Section 29 is amended to require Metrolinx or a subsidiary corporation to ensure that any assets sold or disposed for the purpose of building residential units include at least 20 per cent affordable residential units.
The Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act is amended to specify mandatory maintenance standards for Highways 11, 17 and 69. The Act is also amended to provide that the Minister shall develop a plan to modify these highways into a 2+1 configuration and to set out requirements regarding the plan.
Bill 70 2025
An Act to amend the Metrolinx Act, 2006 and the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act with respect to transportation
His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:
Metrolinx Act, 2006
1 Subclause 6 (1) (d) (iii) of the Metrolinx Act, 2006 is amended by adding “of the municipal bike share systems” after “regional transit system”.
2 Section 29 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:
Residential units
(2.1) If the sale or disposition under subsection (1) or (2) is for the purpose of building residential units, the Corporation or the subsidiary corporation shall ensure that at least 20 per cent of the units constitute affordable residential units, as defined in subsection 4.1 (1) of the Development Charges Act, 1997.
Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act
3 The Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act is amended by adding the following sections:
Road maintenance
103 (1) The Minister shall ensure that Highways 11, 17 and 69, including portions of those highways that only have two lanes, are maintained in accordance with this section.
Snow removal standard
(2) The entire pavement of the highway shall be bare of snow within four hours after the end of a snowfall.
Ice clearance standard
(3) If ice forms on the pavement of the highway, the standard is to clear the ice within three hours after becoming aware of the fact.
Pothole repair standard
(4) If a pothole on the pavement of the highway has a surface area exceeding 600 square centimetres and a depth exceeding eight centimetres, the standard is to repair the pothole within four days after becoming aware of the fact.
Road upgrades
104 (1) No more than 12 months after the day this section comes into force, the Minister shall,
(a) develop a plan that meets the requirements set out in subsection (2); and
(b) publish the plan on a website of the Government of Ontario as soon as practicable after the plan is developed.
Plan requirements
(2) The plan shall meet the following requirements:
1. The plan shall be for the modification of Highways 11, 17 and 69 into a 2+1 configuration.
2. The plan shall be developed in consultation with local communities that will be affected by the modifications.
3. The plan shall be based on the following timelines:
i. Commencement of construction to begin one year after the day the plan is published under clause 104 (1) (b).
ii. Completion of all construction no more than five years after the day the plan is published under clause 104 (1) (b).
Annual report – contents
(3) Each year, on the anniversary of the day on which the plan is published under clause 104 (1) (b), the Minister shall complete an annual report that includes the following:
1. Details regarding progress on construction, including updated estimates regarding costs and timelines.
2. If the plan is no longer on schedule, a description of any factors causing delay, including regulatory barriers and extensions to previous procurement schedules.
3. A list of completed procurements and the companies that completed them and of current procurements and the successful bidders.
4. A list of procurements that are currently open for bidding or expected to be opened for bidding in the following year, and any criteria that bidders will be expected to meet.
Annual report – publication
(4) Every annual report referred to in subsection (3) shall be published on a website of the Government of Ontario.
Definition
(5) In subsection (2),
“2+1 configuration” means a three-lane highway with a centre passing lane that changes direction approximately every two to five kilometres.
Commencement and Short Title
Commencement
4 This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.
Short title
5 The short title of this Act is the Supporting Mobility, Affordability and Reliable Transportation in Ontario Act, 2025.