Today, MPP Ric Bresee announced the Ontario government is investing up to $2,226,500 to reconstruct necessary water infrastructure in Bancroft. 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.
“I am happy to see such a great level of support for our small, rural and northern communities from Premier Ford and the Ministry of Infrastructure,” said Hastings – Lennox and Addington MPP Ric Bresee.
“We all recognize the fiscal challenges these water infrastructure responsibilities place on small municipalities, and I am grateful to the province for supporting the residents of the Bancroft region with this funding.”
The MHIP-HSWS funding will be used to rehabilitate the water level control dam in Bancroft to ensure resident safety and better control water overflow.
“On behalf of Council and the residents of Bancroft, I want to express our sincere appreciation to the Province of Ontario and the Ministry of Infrastructure for their significant investment toward the $3-million rehabilitation of the Town-owned York River overflow water control structure,” said Town of Bancroft Mayor Paul Jenkins.
“This dam is a vital piece of municipal infrastructure, helping to maintain consistent river levels that support residential use, recreation, and the overall enjoyment of the York River in our
municipality and throughout the region. It also plays a critical role in flood management by safely directing excess spring runoff through the river system in a controlled manner, protecting residences along the banks of the river in Bancroft and further downstream. This important rehabilitation project strengthens the long-term resilience of our community and allows Bancroft to continue improving essential infrastructure while reducing financial pressures on local taxpayers.”
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.”
