Ontario Building Critical Infrastructure in St. Thomas

Funding will help create jobs and support economic growth

NEWS                                                                                                                         October 18, 2024

ST. THOMAS — The Ontario government is investing $6,667,884 to help renew and rehabilitate critical infrastructure in St. Thomas. The funding will be delivered in 2025 through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) and is part of the government’s $190 billion capital plan to build and expand more homes, highways, hospitals, transit and high-speed internet across the province.

“This investment continues to build on our government’s commitment to enhance the infrastructure that supports our small and rural communities,” said Rob Flack, MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London. “These funds will improve essential services and unlock new economic growth within our region.”

In 2025, Ontario will allocate $400 million in OCIF funding to help 423 small, rural and northern communities build roads, bridges, water and wastewater infrastructure. 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. “By providing direct and stable funding to these communities, our government is helping create local jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger, more resilient communities for generations to come.”

“The City of St. Thomas is pleased to continue its partnership with the province through its stable dedicated Ontario Community Infrastructure Funding (OCIF) to help address some of our critical infrastructure needs”, said Joe Preston, Mayor of St. Thomas. “These increased OCIF investments in our community are integral to strengthening our economy while facing the pressures of inflation and supply chain challenges.”

The 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. Funding allocations are based on a formula that accounts for the different needs and economic conditions of each community.

QUICK FACTS

• In 2024, the government provided $400 million in funding through the OCIF to 425 communities.
• Starting in 2022, the government increased its investment for the OCIF by $1 billion over five years.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Ontario Builds: our infrastructure plan

Rob Flack, MPP

Elgin-Middlesex-London

Rob.flack@pc.ola.org