Ontario investing $670M to improve local infrastructure

The province is expanding the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) to help build and repair more critical infrastructure in small, rural and northern municipalities. The government is increasing its investment in the fund to more than $670 million over three years to better meet local infrastructure needs expressed by Ontario municipalities.

This amount includes more than $420 million in formula-based funding and $250 million in top-up application funding. Individual municipalities will receive formula-based funding annually based on their economic conditions and the infrastructure they own, such as roads, bridges and wastewater facilities.

Additionally municipalities now have the option to bank their formula-based funding, allowing them more flexibility to create long-term plans and carry out larger infrastructure projects.

Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Infrastructure.

“The investments we make in public infrastructure today will help grow Ontario’s economy and boost job creation for tomorrow. An expanded and improved OCIF will help small, rural and northern communities from across Ontario repair and revitalize water, sewer, road and bridge-related infrastructure. It also incorporates the feedback we received from our stakeholders,” said Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Infrastructure.

The top-up application component will allow municipalities to submit proposals for specific infrastructure projects. This application-based funding is aimed at allowing smaller communities to bring their total OCIF funding up to $2 million over two years to ensure all communities have opportunities to address larger, critical infrastructure projects.

Applications for the 2016 top-up application component are now being accepted. Proposals for the 2016 intake will be accepted until October 21, 2016.

Ontario is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province’s history — about $160 billion over 12 years, which is supporting 110,000 jobs every year across the province, with projects such as roads, bridges, transit systems, schools and hospitals. In 2015, the province announced support for more than 325 projects that will keep people and goods moving, connect communities and improve quality of life.

Expanding the OCIF is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario’s history and is investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.