The Ontario government is investing more than $14 million in water infrastructure projects across Lanark and Frontenac counties. The funding will support upgrades in Smiths Falls and North Frontenac through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program’s Health and Safety Water Stream.
Most of the funding — more than $13.3 million — will go toward a major trunk water-main upgrade and sewer separation project in Smiths Falls, helping improve water reliability for about 1,380 homes. North Frontenac will receive just over $1 million for storm-water system improvements in the Village of Plevna, aimed at protecting 35 homes and improving flood resilience. Ontario’s Acting Minister of Infrastructure, Todd McCarthy told MBC that these grants are to support both municipalities and their residents.
He noted that the Province has moved to keep up with construction costs, which for municipal infrastructure, have risen 70% in the last 10 years, according to ROMA.
He also reported on the $35M that Queen’s Park granted to Carleton Place for their water and waste-water plant expansions, the $3M given to Perth to expand their waste-water facility, and the almost $7M for Kingston for their water infrastructure. He remarked the recently announced $8.8B fund created by Ontario and the feds will help keep communities able to accommodate growth. He added that municipalities must come to the table in efforts to make housing more affordable.
He noted that the HST exemption on new homes was able to spur the sales of over 3K homes in the first few weeks of its program.
Story by Brian Turner
