Province Says It Is Providing Over $7 Million For Critical Infrastructure Projects In Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock

KAWARTHA LAKES-The Ontario government says it is providing $7,264,988 to help local municipalities build and repair critical infrastructure in Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. This investment is part of our government’s plan to build Ontario by supporting critical infrastructure projects that generate local economic growth and create new jobs.

“Our government has heard from small, rural and northern municipalities across the province on the need for adjustments to the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) formula and that’s why we are taking action,” said Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. “Municipalities in HKLB will greatly benefit from this significant increase in funding to help get shovels in the ground sooner on important local infrastructure projects that help strengthen our communities and support long-term economic recovery.”

The City of Kawartha Lakes is slated for over $2 million this year and $4.5 million next year.

Today’s announcement is part of the government’s additional $1 billion investment to help build and repair roads, bridges, water and wastewater infrastructure in small, rural and northern communities according to Scott. The multi-year funding is being delivered through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF).

“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.”

Funding allocations will be based on a formula that recognizes the different needs and economic conditions of communities across the province. The new formula will include an increased funding minimum of $100,000 for all communities per year, up from $50,000 over 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 Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “Our government has been with them every step of the way. When we were told more funding supports were needed, we listened and acted in a meaningful way by providing the largest OCIF increase since the start of the program. By doing so, we’re providing stability and predictability to small, rural and northern communities to repair, upgrade, and modernize their critical infrastructure so that they are safer, healthier, and more reliable for all.