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Ontario to invest $1 billion in rural roads, bridges and water

Ontario has announced an additional $1 billion over the next five years to help build and repair infrastructure in the province’s rural and northern communities.

The new funding is dedicated to the construction of local roads, bridges, water and wastewater infrastructure, and part of the provincial government’s plan to get shovels in the ground on critical infrastructure projects that support economic recovery, growth and job creation.

“Our small, rural and northern communities will be at the forefront of our efforts to build Ontario for the future,” said Premier Doug Ford. “With this investment, we are saying ‘yes’ to helping these communities build and repair the vital infrastructure they need to keep their communities working for decades to come.”

The $1 billion will be delivered through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) and will bring the government’s total investment to about $2 billion throughout the next five years. Funding allocations will be based on a formula that recognizes the needs and economic conditions of communities across the province. Starting in 2022, the formula will include an increased funding minimum of $100,000 for all communities per year, up from $50,000 in previous years.

“Communities are the heartbeat of this province, and we know they are facing unique infrastructure needs and challenges, especially as we navigate through the pandemic,” said Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma. “We’re providing stability and predictability to small, rural and northern communities as they repair, upgrade and modernize their critical infrastructure so that they are safer, healthier and more reliable for all.”

The province’s investment in OCIF is part of the 2021 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review: Build Ontario. The plan lays out how the government will build Ontario’s future with shovels in the ground for highways, hospitals, long-term care, housing and high-speed internet.

“Our government is building a strong, stable foundation that workers, entrepreneurs, and families will build on for generations to come,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “By nearly doubling our investment in the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund, our government is supporting public safety, job creation and economic growth.”