Ontario Investing $7,464,250 for Critical Water Infrastructure in the Town of Blind River in Algoma-Manitoulin

March 5, 2026

Funding will support housing, jobs and economic growth

Blind River, Ontario — Today, MPP Bill Rosenberg announced the Ontario government is investing up to $7,464,250 to rehabilitate and expand water infrastructure in the Town of Blind River in Algoma-Manitoulin. The funding comes from the province’s Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program’s Health and Safety Water Stream (MHIP-HSWS), which has increased by $700 million for a total of $875 million to support access to safe drinking water, housing, job creation and protection for communities in the event of extreme weather events.

Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Bill Rosenberg: “Congratulations to the Town of Blind River on securing funding through the Ministry of Infrastructure’s Housing Enabling Water Systems Fund. This important provincial investment will strengthen Blind River’s wastewater infrastructure, helping to support new housing development, create local employment opportunities, and enhance quality of life for residents.  By investing in critical infrastructure today, we are laying the foundation for sustainable growth and long-term prosperity in the community. I am confident this funding will benefit Blind River and its residents for many years to come.”

The MHIP-HSWS funding will be used in the Town of Blind River to rehabilitate and expand the Town of Blind River’s Wastewater Treatment Facility.  The overall project costs will be $10,225,000 with the Province of Ontario contributing $7,464,250.

“The Town of Blind River is ecstatic to receive funding support and recognition from the Government of Ontario!  This valuable investment will allow our community to modernize, develop, and grow.  Thank you to Acting Minister McCarthy, Minister Surma, MPP Rosenberg, and PA Sandhu for your ongoing support and understanding of our beautiful municipality and its growth targets.”  Mayor Sally Hagman, Town of Blind River.

This funding is part of a historic investment of $4 billion in the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP), included in Ontario’s $220 billion capital plan, the most ambitious in the province’s history, to build transit, highways, hospitals, schools and water infrastructure that enables new housing.

“As we continue to navigate economic uncertainty and unwarranted U.S. tariffs, our government is protecting Ontario by investing in critical infrastructure that drives growth, creates jobs and strengthens communities,” said Todd McCarthy, Acting Minister of Infrastructure. “Through our historic $4 billion Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, we are giving municipalities and First Nations the tools they need to get shovels in the ground and build stronger communities. Our investments will deliver more homes, modernize aging water systems and lay the foundation for long-term prosperity across Ontario.”

QUICK FACTS

 

• In August 2025, Ontario increased the MHIP to $4 billion to speed up construction of homes and core infrastructure, such as roads and water systems. Since its launch in 2024, the MHIP has made about 800,000 more new homes possible.
• The MHIP is comprised of four funding streams: the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF), the Housing-Enabling Core Servicing (HECS) Stream, the Health and Safety Water Stream (HSWS) and the Agriculture and Irrigation Stream.
• In January 2025, Ontario announced an initial investment of $175 million to launch the HSWS.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Ontario Investing $1.6 Billion in Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program
• Ontario Getting Homes and Infrastructure Built Faster and Smarter
• Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program
• Health and Safety Water Stream

MPP Bill Rosenberg
Bill.Rosenberg@pc.ola.org
705-842-6556

CAO-Clerk Kathryn Scott