Funding Boost for Infrastructure in Southwestern Ontario

Two municipalities in southwestern Ontario are set to receive almost $29 million for the expansion and upgrade of rural water infrastructure.

Premier Doug Ford revealed the funding for Perth and Wellington counties during a Wednesday morning press event in Kenilworth, part of Wellington North Township.

“We’re making these investments to ensure families, workers, and businesses have the world-class services and infrastructure they need to thrive in Perth-Wellington,” Ford stated.

“These funds will enhance resilience during extreme weather, protecting over 5,500 homes in the area while supporting the construction of hundreds more homes, keeping home ownership dreams alive for future generations.”

Municipalities receiving MHIP-HSWS funding

The province indicates that this funding is part of an $875 million investment through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program’s Health and Safety Water Stream (MHIP-HSWS).

A news release from the province details that these municipalities in Perth and Wellington counties will receive MHIP-HSWS funding:

Township of Wellington North – $26,097,500 for expanding the Arthur Wastewater Treatment Plant and upgrading its associated forcemain, along with replacing and expanding the Drayton Sewage Pumping Station in Mapleton to ensure long-term service sustainability for 2,330 existing homes. The Municipality of West Perth – $2,053,125 allocated for the Herbert Street Sewage Pumping Station to help maintain service for around 2,378 homes. The Township of Perth East – $675,250 designated for replacing Milverton Well and rehabilitating its reservoir to support 850 homes with better water security.During the news conference, Mayor Rhonda Ehgoetz from Perth East expressed gratitude for the funding. (CBC)

Ford was accompanied at the press event by mayors from various municipalities benefiting from this financial support.

Mayor Rhonda Ehgoetz from Perth East welcomed this assistance.

“We are very grateful for the money that we’re going to use in Milverton,” she mentioned. “We’re going to refurbish one of our wells which will allow us to expand our village.”

Mayor Andy Lennox from Wellington North remarked that these funds will enable continued development of new housing and business opportunities while ensuring responsible community growth.

“Municipalities shoulder much responsibility when it comes to community infrastructure even when growth benefits are shared more broadly,” he added. “That’s why partnerships like this really matter; we sincerely appreciate what the province is contributing.”

Replacing wastewater pumping station in Mapleton

Mayor Gregg Davidson from Mapleton noted that limited growth has been seen over two decades due to wastewater capacity issues.

Davidson stated that plans were set into motion on a $42 million infrastructure project starting in 2025 aimed at resolving these challenges.

“This provincial funding under health and safety water stream will go towards replacing Drayton’s wastewater pumping station alongside critical conveyance infrastructure while upgrading treatment systems,” he explained.

“Our renewed wastewater system will open up housing opportunities by mid-2027.”

Since 2024, Ontario has invested nearly $150 million across Perth and Wellington counties through MHIP as well as the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF), according to provincial sources.

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