Ontario Construction News staff writer
Niagara Region and the Municipality of Leamington will share $135 million in water systems and irrigation upgrades aimed at boosting housing construction, protecting farmland, and supporting agricultural jobs.
Niagara Region will receive about $94 million, including $53 million for six water systems projects expected to help unlock up to 14,000 new homes, and $41 million for irrigation pipelines serving hundreds of farms and agricultural businesses.
Leamington will receive $41 million for wastewater treatment improvements to protect thousands of acres of greenhouse operations and strengthen domestic food production.
Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers chair Steve Peters said the projects will modernize irrigation systems, enhance wastewater management, and improve the resilience of the province’s greenhouse sector.
“Improved treatment capacity means growers can recycle and reuse up to 90 percent of process water, cutting costs and conserving resources while maintaining the highest standards of food safety,” Peters said. “Ultimately, this support not only boosts the resilience and competitiveness of Ontario’s greenhouse sector, it also lays the groundwork for true domestic food sovereignty, ensuring families across Ontario can continue to rely on fresh, locally grown produce year-round.”
Leamington is home to one of the largest greenhouse hubs in North America, while Niagara Region produces most of Ontario’s tender fruit and grape crops.
