The Ontario government is investing an additional $700 million to upgrade and expand aging water and wastewater infrastructure in communities across the province.
The funding will support 127 municipalities and First Nations through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, or MHIP, which was expanded to $4 billion last year. The latest investment flows through the program’s Health and Safety Water Stream, bringing that stream’s total funding to $875 million.
According to the province, the investment is aimed at improving access to safe drinking water, protecting communities during extreme weather events, supporting job creation, and unlocking new housing opportunities by removing infrastructure bottlenecks.
Acting Minister of Infrastructure Todd McCarthy made the announcement in Orillia, saying modern water systems are essential to economic growth and housing development, particularly during a period of economic uncertainty. Provincial officials say the improvements will help prevent sewage backups, increase system capacity, and support future residential growth.
The government notes that additional recipients of the $700 million in Health and Safety Water Stream funding will be announced locally in the coming weeks.
The investment is part of Ontario’s broader $220 billion capital plan, which includes spending on transit, highways, hospitals, schools, and housing enabling infrastructure.
Since launching in 2024, the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program has supported infrastructure projects that the province says have made approximately 800,000 new homes possible across Ontario.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
