Ontario Investing $7.9 Million in Local Critical Infrastructure

Pete Fisher
14 hours ago
• Categories: Local

Province’s $7.9 million investment will help keep workers on the job and promote economic growth

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The Ontario government is investing $7,903,089 to help renew and rehabilitate critical infrastructure in municipalities across Northumberland. The funding will be delivered through the 2026 Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) as part of the government’s more than $200 billion capital plan to protect Ontario by building key public infrastructure that will strengthen the economy and keep workers on the job in the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty.

“The Ontario government understands the unique challenges faced by rural communities like those in Northumberland—Peterborough South,” said David Piccini, MPP for Northumberland— Peterborough South. “That’s why I’m proud to announce a $7.9 million investment through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund. This funding will help modernize our roads, bridges, and water systems to ensure they’re safe, reliable, and ready for the future. This strategic investment is not only about infrastructure, but also about building stronger, more resilient communities, creating good local jobs, and supporting long-term economic growth across municipalities in our region.”

Total investments in municipalities are as follows:

Municipality 2026 OCIF Allocations

Alnwick-Haldimand Township $1,046,460

Town of Cobourg $1,759,867

Cramahe Township $138,387

Hamilton Township $356,518

Northumberland County $1,807,801

Otonabee-South Monaghan $147,997

Port Hope $1,954,554

Municipality of Trent Hills $691,505

In 2026, Ontario will allocate $400 million in OCIF funding to help 423 small, rural and northern communities address critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems. The minimum grant amount for municipalities will increase to $125,000 from $100,000.

Funding allocations are based on a formula that accounts for the different needs and economic conditions of each community. Communities may accumulate funding for up to five years to address larger infrastructure projects.

“Small, rural and northern communities are essential to the growth and prosperity of Ontario,”
said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure.

“That is why we’re increasing the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund’s minimum grant amount to provide predictability and stability for these communities and ensure they have the resources they need to thrive. With our record investments across all infrastructure programs, we’re driving an unprecedented wave of construction—highways, transit, hospitals, schools, and more—to make communities stronger, keep workers on the job, and drive economic growth for generations to come.”

The OCIF provides funding for local infrastructure projects in municipalities with populations
under 100,000, rural and northern municipalities, as well as for Local Services Boards that own
water or wastewater systems.

QUICK FACTS
• Since 2018, the government provided $2.8 billion through OCIF to support small, rural and northern municipalities.

• Additionally, the province is investing $4 billion in the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP) for core infrastructure projects in growing and developing communities.

This investment will help unlock even more homes in addition to the approximately 800,000 that have been unlocked with the previously announced pipeline of projects.

• Most recently, the government announced $872,179.38 to help The Municipality of Port Hope build water systems that make new housing possible, enabling 1,015 housing units in Northumberland—Peterborough South.