G O V E R N M E N T S  -  I N S T I T U T I O N S

Context

Health, education and other social services are most often delivered to end-users through institutions. Semi-autonomous from senior governments, they are a significant factor in our daily lives. While most often managed by arms-length boards or agencies, they are clearly primary instruments in the delivery of federal, provincial and municipal policies and programs. And while our institutions are physically prominent and familiar in our communities, the complex funding and managerial relationships that exist behind these facilities is not well understood.

Drivers

As the front-line instruments in the key policy areas of health, education and security, our public institutions are currently at the centre of the political priorities in Canada. Managing an ageing population, enhancing productivity through an educated work force and providing safe and secure communities in which to live are high on all agendas, and are commanding increasing shares of government revenues. And while the services and programs delivered through institutions are the primary area of expenditure, physical plants are not far behind, for much of our current institutional infrastructure has aged to an extent similar to infrastructure.

Outlook

All indicators are that the institutional sub-sector will continue to be a major spending priority in the years ahead, with the next five to 10 years dominated by projects in health and higher education.

Changing Client Needs

The distinction between facility management and service delivery is increasingly evident in the institutional sub-sector. The owner/manager of the building is often quite separate from the organization delivering the service. This has led to the use of public-private partnerships, outsourcing and joint-use facility arrangements. Dillon is adept in the range of facility development and management models – from direct service delivery to school boards, universities, colleges and hospitals, to key players in public-private partnership arrangements. But at the core is a deep understanding of planning, design, implementation and on-going management of major capital projects.