Rae Announces Combined $14M in Infrastructure Funding
[Perth-Wellington] – Today, Matthew Rae, MPP for Perth-Wellington announced municipalities throughout Perth and Wellington Counties will receive $14,468,702 in 2024 for local infrastructure needs. This funding is part of the province’s overall $400 million investment through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF).
“Our government is working with our rural and small communities to build critical infrastructure such as roads, water and wastewater, and bridges,” said Rae. “We are ensuring our municipal partners can count on provincial infrastructure funding, allowing them to undertake necessary projects, while reducing the impact on their budgets.”
The OCIF supports local infrastructure projects for communities with populations under 100,000, along with all rural and northern communities. Municipalities may accumulate their funding for up to five years to address larger infrastructure projects.
“The City of Stratford is so appreciative of these Provincial funds through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF),” said Martin Ritsma, Mayor of the City of Stratford. “One of our greatest challenges as a municipality, similar to those across the province, is the upgrading of existing road and linear infrastructure and the building of new. Whether it is to support residential or employment growth in our local community. A special thank you to MPP Matthew Rae for understanding our needs and supporting us every step of the way.”
“We are very appreciative of the OCIF Funding we receive as it helps reduce our infrastructure deficit,” said Gregg Davidson, Mayor of the Township of Mapleton. “The extra funding this year will get us one step closer to upgrading our wastewater capacity so we can support new home growth.”
“Small, rural and northern communities need stable funding for their unique infrastructure needs and to provide safe and reliable services,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “That’s why our government continues to provide funding, especially during these challenging economic times. Our investments in community infrastructure are helping to create jobs, build stronger local economies, and lay the foundation for a stronger, more resilient Ontario for generations to come.”
In December 2021, the Ontario government announced an additional $1 billion for critical infrastructure projects that support economic growth and job creation in small, rural and northern communities, bringing the government’s total investment to nearly $2 billion dollars over five years.
Funding allocations are based on a formula that recognizes the different needs and economic conditions of communities.
As announced in Ontario’s 2023 Fall Economic Statement, the government is also protecting communities and unlocking new housing opportunities by investing $200 million over three years to help municipalities repair, rehabilitate and expand critical water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. Eligible municipalities will be able to nominate housing-enabling water and wastewater projects in early 2024 through the new Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund.
Perth-Wellington 2024 OCIF levels are as follows:
| Municipality | 2024 Funding |
| Wellington County | $ 2,764,871 |
| Mapleton | $ 1,140,309 |
| Minto | $ 1,314,896 |
| North Perth | $ 972,700 |
| Perth County | $ 703,009 |
| Perth East | $ 307,460 |
| Perth South | $ 425,969 |
| St Marys | $ 597,536 |
| Stratford | $ 3,115,579 |
| Wellington North | $ 1,682,295 |
| West Perth | $ 1,199,829 |
| Total | $ 14,468,702 |