Press Release
January 21, 2025
Province announces new rural economic development program, investments in housing-enabling infrastructure at annual ROMA conference
Toronto — The Ontario government has announced new measures that continue its historic support for rural communities and residents at the 2025 annual Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference. These measures include a new Rural Economic Development Strategy announced by Minister of Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson, with $10 million in annual funding in a new Rural Ontario Development Program aimed at supporting economic growth, workforce capacity and business development in rural communities.
“Our government is continuing our historic investments in the success of rural Ontario because we understand how critical rural Ontario is to the success of the entire province,” said Premier Doug Ford. “After years of neglect from previous governments, we are making sure rural communities are seeing the new investments, infrastructure and homes they need to thrive and create new jobs and opportunities.”
Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure, announced the government is opening applications for the $175 million Health and Safety Water Stream of the province’s Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP) starting February 12, 2025, to ensure communities across the province have access to safe drinking water, reliable wastewater services, and are protected during extreme weather events. This funding is part of the government’s historic ongoing investments to help municipalities and First Nations preserve and increase housing supply across the province.
Minister Surma also announced the province has completed evaluating applications for funding from the $400 million Housing-Enabling Core Servicing Stream of the MHIP and has approved 58 successful projects across 60 municipalities. These projects will help enable up to 160,000 new homes and ensure these growing communities are connected to reliable roadways. Successful recipients will be announced in the coming weeks.
“Our government is working with municipalities and First Nations to ensure they have the support they need to maintain crucial water infrastructure assets and promote housing growth in their communities,” said Minister Surma. “Proper maintenance of our water and wastewater infrastructure is critical for protecting our homes and businesses and ensuring communities have access to clean drinking water. We remain dedicated to supporting municipalities and First Nations by delivering the critical infrastructure their communities need today and for generations to come.”
Minister Thompson’s announcement of a new Rural Economic Development Strategy is a key pillar in the government’s plan to help rural communities address the challenges they are facing and take advantage of new opportunities. As part of this strategy, the government has replaced its previous Rural Economic Development Program with the new Rural Ontario Development Program and is doubling its funding to $10 million annually over the next two years for a total of $20 million.
“Our government believes in and is committed to enabling opportunity, which is the foundation from which we built Ontario’s rural economic development strategy,” said Minister Thompson. “Our plan to support rural Ontario reflects how our entire government is working together to ensure our programs and policies enable strong and dynamic rural communities.”
The Enabling Opportunity: Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Strategy focuses on three key areas:
ROMA is the rural voice of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). The annual conference is an opportunity for the province and municipal leaders to make progress on rural priorities.
Quick Facts
Quotes
“For generations, it has been our rural communities that have laid the very foundation on which the province stands. Under Premier Ford’s leadership, our government has not only acknowledged the unique challenges of rural and northern Ontario, we have been actively unleashing the opportunity that exists there. From infrastructure investments to housing solutions, from cutting red tape to creating jobs, we are delivering real results — and we’re just getting started.”
– Paul Calandra
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
“Under Premier Ford’s leadership, rural Ontario will never be left behind as it was under the previous government. Thirty thousand new jobs, $3 billion in added GDP and a 65 per cent increase in exports are the Premier’s track record for Ontario’s agri-food sector, proof that our government’s investments are reinvigorating the economic muscle of rural Ontario.”
– Rob Flack
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
“This $175 million investment is an important step toward empowering municipalities to build the infrastructure needed to support our growing communities and improve the quality of life for all Ontarians. By addressing aging infrastructure and adapting to climate change, we can ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.”
– Robin Jones
President, Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and Mayor, Westport
“The province’s new Rural Economic Development Strategy recognizes the immense potential of our rural communities. The expanded scope and resources in the new Rural Ontario Development Program will help unlock this potential and drive local economic growth. Prosperity across the province relies on a thriving rural Ontario.”
– Christa Lowry
Chair, Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) and Mayor, Mississippi Mills
Additional Resources
Related Topics
Home and Community
Information for families on major life events and care options, including marriage, births and child care. Also includes planning resources for municipalities. Learn more
Jobs and Employment
We’ve got the resource and supports to help connect job seekers with employers. Learn more
Rural and North
Information about the province’s Far North and rural communities. Get connected to business improvement organizations and learn more about funding and programs that support rural, northern and Indigenous communities. Learn more
Media Contacts
Ash Milton
Press Secretary, Minister Surma’s Office
Ash.Milton@ontario.ca
Ministry of Infrastructure Media Line
Communications Branch
MOI.media@ontario.ca
Morgan Mattern
Minister Thompson’s Office
Morgan.Mattern@ontario.ca
Meaghan Evans
Communications Branch
OMAFRA.media@ontario.ca
519-826-3145
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