Ontario Investing $15 Million to Protect and Support Northern Communities
Press Release
April 24, 2026
Annual funding will help 144 northern municipalities repair roads, bridges and build long-term resilience
THUNDER BAY — The Ontario government is investing $15 million in ongoing annual funding through the Northern Ontario Resource Development Support (NORDS) Fund to help northern municipalities continue to improve local infrastructure and support responsible economic growth in the North. As part of its plan to protect Ontario, this funding is one more way the province is supporting good-paying jobs and building stronger northern communities and a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy.
“Ontario’s northern communities are an essential part of our province,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “Making NORDS an ongoing fund means northern municipalities can plan, invest with confidence and maintain the critical infrastructure that resource development operations rely on and ensure benefits are shared close to home.”
The NORDS Fund helps municipalities across northern Ontario invest in vital infrastructure such as roads and bridges, access new economic opportunities through resource development and mitigate the impacts of resource development on local infrastructure. Resource development operations, such as mining, forestry and agriculture, are an important part of the provincial economy, yet they can also disproportionately impact northern municipal infrastructure. NORDS helps these municipalities strengthen local infrastructure, invest in long-term community growth and support sustainable development.
All 144 northern Ontario municipalities, as defined under the Places to Grow Act, 2005, are eligible to receive NORDS funding. Municipalities will have an opportunity to submit projects through Transfer Payment Ontario later this summer. The Ministry of Northern Economic Development and Growth will contact municipalities to provide assistance with next steps and funding details.
Since its inception in 2021, NORDS has provided $75 million to fund municipal infrastructure projects across the North. In 2025-26, 144 municipalities received NORDS funding, including:
- The City of Timmins, which received $400,000 to reconstruct a 16-kilometre section of Highway 101 to mitigate the impacts caused by the transportation of resources extracted by nearby forestry and mining operations.
- The Municipality of Shuniah, which received $129,994 to rehabilitate Lakeshore Drive, a vital roadway used by mining and forestry industries in the region.
- The Town of Smooth Rock Falls, which received $76,797 for a water main extension project to increase water pressure, allowing for future community, business and resource developments.
“Strong municipalities are the backbone of Ontario. This $15 million annual investment through the NORDS Fund will help northern communities build modern, critical infrastructure and ensure families and businesses in the North have what they need to grow and succeed,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “This is part of our plan to protect Ontario and build the most competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy in the G7.”
The 2026 Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario outlines how the government is advancing its plan to protect Ontario by making the province one of the most competitive places to invest and do business in the G7, while building a more resilient and self-reliant economy.
Quick Facts
- All 144 northern Ontario municipalities, as defined under the Places to Grow Act, 2005, are eligible to receive NORDS funding.
- NORDS funding allocations are determined using household counts in each municipality.
- NORDS will fund infrastructure projects, such as road rehabilitations or bridge improvements, related to resource-related development, such as in mining, forestry and agriculture.
- NORDS was initially created as a five-year program ending in 2026.
- Since 2021, our government has invested $675 million through combined programs, such as NORDS, the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund and the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, to help revitalise infrastructure in northern Ontario.
Quotes
“The continuation of the NORDS program for the next three years is a critical investment in the future of northern Ontario. NORDS has proven to be a highly impactful tool for our municipalities, helping to unlock local economic opportunities, strengthen infrastructure, and support sustainable growth across the North. We thank Minister Pirie for his leadership and the Government of Ontario for recognizing the importance of this program and responding to the needs of northern communities.”
– Rick Dumas
Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) President
“FONOM is very pleased to see the NORDS program is continuing, as it has been a priority we have long advanced with the province. This program plays a key role in helping northern municipalities address longstanding infrastructure gaps while supporting communities experiencing growth tied to resource development. The ability to stack funding over multiple years is particularly important, as it allows municipalities to move forward with larger infrastructure projects that would otherwise be out of reach. This flexibility strengthens municipal financial planning and ensures communities are better positioned to support economic development and future growth.”
– Dave Plourde
Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) President
“This investment is about working hand in hand with our municipal partners to get more shovels in the ground for housing and the infrastructure that supports growth. By strengthening roads, bridges, and water systems across northern Ontario, we’re creating the right conditions to build new homes, grow local industries, support good-paying jobs, and build a stronger economy today while setting the province up for long-term success.”
– Rob Flack
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
“Our government is supporting northern communities with historic infrastructure investments delivered through initiatives including the annual NORDS Fund, the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund and the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program. As part of our capital plan, we are continuing to build and renew critical infrastructure to strengthen communities, keep workers on the job and protect Ontario.”
– Todd McCarthy
Acting Minister of Infrastructure
Additional Resources
Related Topics
Business and economy
Information about Ontario’s economy and how to do business here. Includes economic development opportunities, research funding, tax credits for business and the Ontario Budget. Learn more
Government
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Rural, agriculture and north
Information about Northern Ontario, agriculture and local food. Learn about funding programs that support rural, northern and Indigenous communities. Learn more
Media Contacts
Sam McCormick, Minister’s Office
Sam.McCormick@ontario.ca
Media Relations, Communications Branch
mediadesk.MNEDG@ontario.ca
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