Ontario Launches Municipal Infrastructure Strategy

Ontario is helping small, rural, and Northern municipalities strategically plan to maintain and build critical infrastructure required by families and businesses to build strong local economies.

The new Municipal Infrastructure Strategy will require municipalities that request provincial infrastructure funding to show how projects fit within a comprehensive asset management plan. Asset management plans help municipalities make smart planning decisions about building, operating, maintaining, renewing, and replacing infrastructure over the long-term.

Through the strategy, Ontario is providing $60 million over the next three years to municipalities. Up to $9 million will be used to help municipalities prepare their plans, while the remaining funds will be used to address critical projects identified in those finalized plans.

Investing in infrastructure is part of the McGuinty government’s plan to create jobs for Ontarians and strengthen the economy.

QUICK FACTS

• Eligible communities can apply for funding to help them prepare asset management plans. The deadline to apply is Oct. 22, 2012.
• An online guide and toolkit are available to help municipalities prepare their asset management plans.
• Since 2003, the McGuinty government has invested $13 billion to help municipalities modernize and expand transit, repair and upgrade roads and bridges, improve water and wastewater treatment, and revitalize community infrastructure.
• The 2012 Budget preserves the infrastructure investment that was committed to in Building Together