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Ontario Helping Build More Homes in the Town of Collingwood & the Town of New Tecumseth

$69,999,999.58 in water infrastructure funding will help enable 59,731 new homes

NEWS                                                                                                                               September 26, 2024

COLLINGWOOD, ON — Today, Brian Saunderson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey announced that the Ontario government is investing $69,999,999.58 to enable the construction of new homes in Collingwood and the Town of New Tecumseth. The funding is being delivered through the first round of investments under the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund, which includes $970 million to help municipalities develop, repair, rehabilitate and expand drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.

This funding will support the expansion of the Raymond A. Barker Water Treatment Plant. This project will enable 59,731 units in Collingwood & New Tecumseth.

“This is a transformational investment in a generational project that will build sustainable and resilient communities in Simcoe-Grey,” said MPP Brian Saunderson. “By partnering with the Towns of Collingwood and New Tecumseth, the Government of Ontario is making sure that the proper linear infrastructure is in place to support responsible growth that includes much needed housing, schools, hospitals and businesses.”

The government is also allocating an additional $250 million and accepting a second round of applications through the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund, bringing the province’s total investment in the fund to $1.2 billion.

“By investing in drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities and connecting pipes to land, we are helping municipalities build more homes,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “Homes can’t be built without connections to drinking water and wastewater.”

“On behalf of the Town of Collingwood, we are very grateful for this substantial funding towards our water treatment plant expansion,” said Collingwood Mayor Yvonne Hamlin. “This project is the largest infrastructure investment in Collingwood’s history and is essential for the growth of our Town. The Provincial government’s grant will enable the construction of much-needed housing for our expanding community.”

“The Province of Ontario’s significant commitment and investment in the Towns of New Tecumseth and Collingwood is remarkable,” said New Tecumseth Mayor Richard Norcross. “We have worked together tirelessly to develop partnerships and solutions for funding assistance, and we are grateful for the province’s support that ensures we have the services and water needed to continue to prosper today and into the future. “

In this year’s budget, Ontario announced more than $1.8 billion in housing-enabling infrastructure funding through the $825 million Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund and the $1 billion Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, in addition to funding announced previously through the province’s Building Faster Fund. In response to the significant demand for investments in water and wastewater infrastructure to enable the construction of more homes, and after consulting with municipalities, the province is transferring $275 million from the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program to the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund in order to meet this demand. In addition, the $120 million from the Building Faster Fund that was reserved for small, rural and northern communities is being flowed to these communities through the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund.

QUICK FACTS

  • Details about the second application intake can be found at: https://www.ontario.ca/page/housing-enabling-water-systems-fund
  • The second intake is now open and will provide an additional $250 million in funding.
  • The Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program will support core infrastructure projects that help enable housing, such as roads and water infrastructure.
  • Investing in key local infrastructure through programs like the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund and the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program is part of the province’s capital plan of over $190 billion to build critical infrastructure and get more homes built faster to support growing communities and lay a strong foundation for future generations.

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