Rae Announces over $13.3 million in Infrastructure Funding
September 19, 2025
[Perth-Wellington] – Today, Matthew Rae, MPP for Perth-Wellington announced that local municipalities would be receiving $13.3 million in infrastructure funding. This funding is part of the 2026 Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF).
“We continue to support our small and rural municipalities to build and maintain critical infrastructure,” MPP Rae said. “Our rural communities are getting shovels in the ground on important infrastructure projects, and our provincial government will be there to support their future growth and prosperity.”
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.”
“Municipal governments are very much in the business of managing a collection of assets – roads, bridges, sidewalks, streetlights – that enable comfortable modern living,” said Todd Kasenberg, Mayor of the Municipality of North Perth. “These items have a lifespan, and their ongoing replacement or renewal and repair is a big part of what we do. As expected, our desire for a safe, modern community calls for ongoing substantial investment. We are grateful to the Province of Ontario, and to the advocacy of Mr. Rae, in securing funds to support this important work – what I consider Job #1 of what municipal governments attend to.”
“On behalf of Council and the residents of West Perth, I want to thank the Province of Ontario for this important investment through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund,” said Walter McKenzie, Mayor of the Municipality of West Perth. “This funding allows us to move forward with critical infrastructure projects that strengthen our community, support growth, and ensure reliable services for our residents today and into the future.”
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.
Since 2018, $2.8 billion has been allocated across Ontario through OCIF, $102.9 million of which has come directly to municipalities in Perth-Wellington.
OCIF funding as provided by the Ministry of Infrastructure:
| Municipality | 2026 Funding |
| Mapleton | $ 1,180,220 |
| Minto | $ 1,360,917 |
| North Perth | $ 1,128,233 |
| Perth East | $ 373,247 |
| Perth South | $ 434,389 |
| Perth County | $ 537,802 |
| St. Marys | $ 502,284 |
| Stratford | $ 3,224,624 |
| Wellington North | $ 1,286,956 |
| West Perth | $ 1,246,949 |
| Wellington County | $ 2,115,126 |
| Total | $ 13,390,747 |