The Government of Ontario has announced its plan for rolling out $30 billion in infrastructure funding provided by all three levels of government.
The first stream of the funding, the Rural and Northern stream, is open to cities and Indigenous communities with populations under 100,000. Those communities, about 500 of them, will have eight weeks beginning March 18 to nominate road and bridge projects.
“This first stream of funding is an invitation to all those communities to get started on the crucial process of project nomination,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Infrastructure.
The funding falls under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, which will unlock up to $30 billion in combined federal, provincial, and local investments in communities across the province over the next 10 years.
“Our economy, communities, and families all depend on infrastructure. This program will bring major infrastructure investments that people rely on,” said McNaughton. “And when we invest in smart infrastructure, we create jobs and grow the economy, shaping the future for hard-working families in Ontario.”
The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program is a $30 billion, 10-year infrastructure program cost-shared between federal, provincial and municipal governments. Ontario’s share per project will be up to 33 per cent, or $10.2 billion spread across four streams: 1. Rural and Northern 2. Public Transit 3. Green 4. Community, Culture and Recreation.
The first intake for the Rural and Northern stream will be open for eight weeks, and will focus on road, bridge, air or marine infrastructure in rural and northern communities with populations under 100,000 people.
“The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) welcomes this federal and provincial commitment to infrastructure funding across our province. Rural and northern communities depend on safe and reliable roads and bridges,” said Jamie McGarvey, president of AMO and mayor of Parry Sound. “They are essential to local quality of life and prosperity. Importantly, the ‘one-window’ approach that Ontario and the federal government have put in place will offer Ontario’s municipal governments an efficient means to access infrastructure funding.”
The Grants Ontario website (click on Grant Opportunities) will be a “one-window” source for applicants, handling application intake, review, nomination, reporting and transfer payment management processes – all in one place.
