Ontario Building Critical Infrastructure in the Township of Scugog

SCUGOG — The Ontario government is investing $879,549 to help renew and rehabilitate critical infrastructure in the Township of Scugog. The funding will be delivered through the 2026 Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) as part of the government’s more than $200 billion capital plan to protect Ontario by building key public infrastructure that will  strengthen the economy and keep workers on the job in the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty.

“Under the leadership of Premier Doug Ford, our government is committed to building the Ontario of tomorrow through strengthening our community network and supporting key infrastructure industries” said Todd McCarthy, MPP for Durham. “This investment of $879,549 will ensure the Township of Scugog has the vital infrastructure to remain an incredible place to live, work, and start a business.”

In 2026, Ontario will allocate $400 million in OCIF funding to help 423 small, rural and northern communities address critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems. The minimum grant amount for municipalities will increase to $125,000 from $100,000. Funding allocations are based on a formula that accounts for the different needs and economic conditions of each community. Communities may accumulate funding for up to five years to address larger infrastructure projects.

“Small, rural and northern communities are essential to the growth and prosperity of Ontario,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “That is why we’re increasing the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund’s minimum grant amount to provide predictability and stability for these communities and ensure they have the resources they need to thrive. With our record investments across all infrastructure programs, we’re driving an unprecedented wave of construction—highways, transit, hospitals, schools, and more—to make communities stronger, keep workers on the job, and drive economic growth for generations to come.”

“Thank you to the Government of Ontario for recognizing the unique needs of small, rural communities like ours,” said Wilma Wotten, Mayor of the Township of Scugog. “Through the support of the OCIF, Scugog has been able to fund critical infrastructure projects to rehabilitate bridges, culverts, and roads. These investments strengthen our community network, support key industries such as agriculture through the movement of goods and people, and ensure the safety and reliability of essential infrastructure for our residents. By investing in our infrastructure, we are investing in our future.” 

The OCIF provides funding for local infrastructure projects in municipalities with populations under 100,000, rural and northern municipalities, as well as for Local Services Boards that own water or wastewater systems.

QUICK FACTS

• Since 2018, the government provided $2.8 billion through OCIF to support small, rural and northern municipalities.
• Additionally, the province is investing $4 billion in the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP) for core infrastructure projects in growing and developing communities. This investment will help unlock even more homes in addition to the approximately 800,000 that have been unlocked with the previously announced pipeline of projects.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Ontario Builds: our infrastructure plan
• Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund