Ontario Helping Build More Homes in Sarnia-Lambton

Over $41.7M in water infrastructure funding will help enable 3,399 new homes  

NEWS                                                                                                                                            August 29th, 2024 

Sarnia-Lambton— The Ontario government is investing a total of $41,765,125 in critical infrastructure projects to enable the construction of new homes in St. Clair Township and the City of Sarnia.  The funding is being delivered through the first round of investments under the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund, which includes $970 million to help municipalities develop, repair, rehabilitate and expand drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. 

The Ontario government is providing $33,872,000 in funding to support the critically important expansion of the Courtright Wastewater Treatment Plant in St. Clair Township. This project will create water system capacity for 624 new housing units, while also increasing system capacity for future economic and industrial investment in the Township. 

The Ontario government is also providing $7,893,125 to the City of Sarnia to proceed with its Wellington Road Development Extension project.  This investment in Sarnia’s infrastructure will help to support 2,775 housing units in the City’s eastern Development Area 2. 

“I’m extremely pleased that the Ontario government is making these significant investments in the future development of Sarnia-Lambton,” said Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey.  “Sarnia-Lambton is primed for growth and economic investment, this funding from the province will ensure that we are building a Sarnia-Lambton were everyone can find an affordable home and good paying career.” 

“I want to thank MPP Bob Bailey, the Minister of Infrastructure Kinga Surma, and our Premier Doug Ford,” said St. Clair Township Mayor Jeff Agar. “With this money we are able to now proceed with our expansion of our Wastewater Treatment Facility.  St. Clair Township will now be able to add to our industrial base and aid in our residential growth which not only helps St. Clair Township, Lambton County and all of Ontario.  It proves to me Premier Doug Ford is a man of his word.”  

“We would certainly like to express our gratitude to the Province of Ontario. We’ve identified Development Area 2 as a critical space for future residential growth and this funding will help us take a crucial next step in facilitating private housing development in the east end of the community,” said Alister Brown, City of Sarnia Manager of Development and Transportation. 

The government is also allocating an additional $250 million and accepting a second round of applications through the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund, bringing the province’s total investment in the fund to $1.2 billion.  

“By investing in drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities and connecting pipes to land, we are helping municipalities build more homes,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “Homes can’t be built without connections to drinking water and wastewater.” 

In this year’s budget, Ontario announced more than $1.8 billion in housing-enabling infrastructure funding through the $825 million Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund and the $1 billion Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, in addition to funding announced previously through the province’s Building Faster Fund. In response to the significant demand for investments in water and wastewater infrastructure to enable the construction of more homes, and after consulting with municipalities, the province is transferring $275 million from the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program to the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund in order to meet this demand. In addition, the $120 million from the Building Faster Fund that was reserved for small, rural and northern communities is being flowed to these communities through the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund. 

QUICK FACTS 

  • Details about the second application intake and eligibility will be available at ontario.ca/watersystemsfund on August 14, 2024. The second intake will provide an additional $250 million in funding. 

  • The Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program will support core infrastructure projects that help enable housing, such as roads and water infrastructure. 

  • Investing in key local infrastructure through programs like the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund and the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program is part of the province’s capital plan of over $190 billion to build critical infrastructure and get more homes built faster to support growing communities and lay a strong foundation for future generations. 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 

Contact: 
Bob Bailey, MPP 
519-337-0051 
bob.bailey@pc.ola.org