Municipalities in Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock region will be receiving more than $7 million to help build and repair critical infrastructure.

The funding was announced in a Dec. 8 press release from MPP Laurie Scott, noting it’s part of the provincial government’s plan to “build Ontario by supporting critical infrastructure projects that generate local economic growth and create new jobs.”

“Our government has heard from small, rural and northern municipalities across the province on the need for adjustments to the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) formula and that’s why we are taking action,” said Scott. “Municipalities in HKLB will greatly benefit from this significant increase in funding to help get shovels in the ground sooner on important local infrastructure projects that help strengthen our communities and support long-term economic recovery.”

Funding allocations will be based on a formula that recognizes the different needs and economic conditions of communities across the province. The new formula will include an increased funding minimum of $100,000 for all communities per year, up from $50,000 over previous years.

Local municipal funding is as follows: the County of Haliburton will receive $630,334; Algonquin Highlands and Highlands East will each receive $100,000; Dysart et al will receive $364,433 and Minden Hills will receive $226,985. Additionally, City of Kawartha Lakes will receive $4,521,773; Brock township will receive $809,855 and the township of Cavan-Monaghan will receive $511,608.

According to the press release, the announcement is part of the government’s additional $1 billion investment to help build and repair roads, bridges, water and wastewater infrastructure in small, rural and northern communities. The multi-year funding is being delivered through the OCIF and will bring the government’s total investment to nearly $2 billion over the next five years.  

The OCIF supports local infrastructure projects for communities with populations under 100,000, along with all rural and northern communities. 

– Staff