The governments of Canada and Ontario recognize the different ways that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted smaller and rural communities across the province. Both governments are making strategic investments in infrastructure to meet the specific needs of rural Ontario municipalities and First Nation communities to help them strengthen their local economies.
The Government of Canada is investing over $7.6 million in these projects through the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream (RNIS). The Government of Ontario is contributing more than $4.3 million. The municipalities are contributing more than $1.4 million towards the projects and Walpole Island First Nation is contributing $37,347.
The Municipality of Bluewater, for example, will undertake the replacement and widening of a bridge located on Airport Line that is expected to improve safety, reliability and reduce service interruptions.
“We thank both the Federal and Provincial governments for their financial assistance with this important project which will bring this bridge up to current standards so that commodities can be moved safely through our community,” said Paul Klopp, Mayor of Bluewater. “We know that this upgrade will provide a safer road for all those who travel on it. In addition, since there has been a considerable increase in the size of agricultural equipment and vehicles the update to the bridge will certainly help the agricultural sector as well.”
Here’s an overview of the seven rural projects to receive support:
| Project Name | Location | Project Details | Federal Funding | Provincial Funding | Municipal/ First Nation Funding |
| Replacement of Bridge B35 – Airport Line, North of County Road #83 | Bluewater | The replacement and widening of a bridge located on Airport Line will improve safety, reliability and reduce service interruptions. | $1,207,800 | $805,119 | $475,681 |
| Replacement of the Kinburn Line T13 Bridge | Huron East | The project will replace the existing bridge on Kinburn Line with a wider structure to improve safety and traffic flow. | $1,282,050 | $854,615 | $427,435 |
| Replacement of the Blind Bridge on Abraham Line | Morris-Turnberry | The replacement of the existing, one-lane Blind Bridge on Abraham Line with a new, two-lane structure will improve safety, reliability and traffic flow, and remove weight restrictions. | $1,760,880 | $977,288 | $196,632 |
| Ash Line Culvert Replacement and Resurfacing | Dutton/Dunwich | The installation a 42-metre culvert and rehabilitation of 800 metres of Ash Line will improve road infrastructure. | $718,641 | $399,205 | $100,889 |
| Replacement of Tecumseh Road Culvert | Walpole Island First Nation | The replacement an 18.5-metre culvert on Tecumseh Road will improve drainage and road reliability. | $419,939 | $102,633 | $37,347 |
| Second Line Bridge Replacement | Southwold | The project will replace the Second Line Bridge with a concrete culvert to improve safety and access for multiple users, including emergency vehicles. | $377,582 | $209,747 | $51,028 |
| Rehabilitation of Sections of Shiloh Line | Brooke-Alvinston | The rehabilitation of Shiloh Line will improve safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, and reduce maintenance costs. | $1,853,478 | $1,029,607 | $206,045 |
“This is the type of expensive infrastructure project that our municipality could not afford on its own,” said Bob Purcell, Mayor of the Municipality of Dutton/Dunwich. “With the federal contribution of $718,641 and provincial contribution of $399,205, our taxpayers end up paying approximately $80,000 which is 7% of the total cost.”
