Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government has launched the second intake of the Rural Ontario Development Program, a $20-million initiative aimed at strengthening rural economies, building infrastructure and keeping workers on the job.
The announcement was made at the 2026 annual Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference, with applications opening immediately for rural municipalities, businesses, Indigenous groups and not-for-profit organizations.
“In the midst of global economic uncertainty, our government is doubling down on our plan to protect Ontario and its rural communities,” Premier Doug Ford said. “We’re making record investments in rural services and infrastructure, and we’re cutting red tape and keeping costs down to help attract investments and create jobs in rural communities.”
Ford said the province is working with municipal partners to shield rural communities from economic pressures, including tariffs and broader market uncertainty.
The program announcement follows last week’s commitment of an additional $700 million to help 127 municipalities and First Nations communities upgrade and expand aging water infrastructure across Ontario. The funding flows through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP), which was increased to $4 billion last year to support housing construction and infrastructure readiness.
The new funding will be delivered through MHIP’s Health and Safety Water Stream, which now totals $875 million. Projects supported through the stream are intended to improve access to safe drinking water, support housing development, create and protect jobs, and improve resilience to extreme weather events.
“Our government is working to protect the people and families who call rural Ontario home,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “From making investments in infrastructure, to supporting Ontario farmers, to creating the conditions to get more homes built, we are doing what is needed to keep workers on the job and safeguard the bright future that is in store for our rural communities.”
As part of its broader rural strategy, the Ministry of Rural Affairs will host Rural Summits in 2026 to gather feedback on progress and future priorities, as outlined in Enabling Opportunity: Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Strategy.
The province has also highlighted a series of recent investments affecting rural and northern Ontario, including increased support for the Ontario Risk Management Program, which will reach $250 million annually by 2027-28 to help stabilize the agri-food sector during market volatility.
Ontario is investing approximately $583 million this year through the Northern Highways Program, including work to widen Highway 69 between Sudbury and Parry Sound, upgrade Highway 584, and expand sections of the Trans-Canada Highway in northwestern Ontario.
Earlier this month, the province marked a milestone in its plan to restore Northlander passenger rail service with the arrival of the first of three new trainsets. The service is expected to run 740 kilometres between Timmins and Toronto, with 16 stops, including a connection to Cochrane.
ROMA Chair Christa Lowry said the annual conference provides an opportunity for collaboration between municipal and provincial leaders.
“The ROMA Conference is about meaningful conversations on how we can build a stronger rural Ontario together,” Lowry said. “With provincial support, municipalities can protect our quality of life, build more homes and drive growth in every corner of the province.”
