Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government is providing $400 million to help small, rural and northern communities repair and upgrade critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges and water systems.
Funding is from the 2026 Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) and is part of the province’s more than $200 billion capital plan, which aims to protect jobs and strengthen the economy amid tariffs and global uncertainty.
In 2026, 423 communities will receive money, with the minimum municipal grant increased to $125,000 — $25,000 more than last year. Funding allocations are determined by a formula that considers the unique needs and economic conditions of each community.
“Small, rural and northern communities are essential to the growth and prosperity of Ontario,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “That is why we’re increasing the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund’s minimum grant amount to provide predictability and stability for these communities and ensure they have the resources they need to thrive.
“With our record investments across all infrastructure programs, we’re driving an unprecedented wave of construction — highways, transit, hospitals, schools, and more — to make communities stronger, keep workers on the job, and drive economic growth for generations to come.”
The OCIF is available to municipalities with populations under 100,000, rural and northern municipalities, and Local Services Boards that own water or wastewater systems. Since 2018, the program has provided $2.8 billion to help renew and rehabilitate local infrastructure.
In addition to OCIF, the province is committing $4 billion from the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP) to support core infrastructure in growing communities and help unlock new housing.
“Critical infrastructure is essential for safe and strong rural communities across Ontario,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs. “With this investment, our government is ensuring hundreds of small, rural and northern communities have the funds to build and maintain the local infrastructure they rely on to protect and support vibrant rural communities and well-paying jobs.”
Christa Lowry, chair of the Rural Ontario Municipal Association and mayor of Mississippi Mills, said the program provides a predictable and reliable source of funding for small communities. “Prosperity across Ontario relies on a thriving rural Ontario,” she said.
