Wednesday, September 17, 2025
The Ontario government is investing $9.6 million in water and stormwater upgrades in Embrun, a move officials say will boost housing capacity while strengthening local infrastructure.
The money, delivered through the province’s Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF), will help rebuild storm sewers and install a new watermain along 2.5 kilometres of Notre-Dame Street, stretching from the roundabout at Notre-Dame and St-Guillaume eastward.
Provincial officials say the project will modernize the township’s water and storm systems, accommodate growth and prepare the community for new housing development.
“This investment is about more than infrastructure. It is about supporting the families of Russell Township and preparing our community for the future,” said Stéphane Sarrazin, MPP for Glengarry–Prescott–Russell.
Russell Mayor Mike Tarnowski called the funding a “historic” investment and said it shows confidence in the municipality’s collaborative planning with the United Counties of Prescott and Russell.
“This is about maintaining the high quality of life our residents expect, through careful planning that reflects the character of our community,” he said.
United Counties Warden Yves Laviolette said the province’s contribution was critical to moving the project forward. “The challenges related to funding infrastructure projects are numerous, and it is thanks to such provincial investments that we are able to carry out this important project for our community,” he said.
The HEWSF is part of the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP), which aims to provide municipalities with core infrastructure needed to meet housing targets. The province says the program has so far enabled about 800,000 homes across Ontario.
The MHIP falls under Ontario’s $200-billion capital plan, which also includes investments in transit, highways, hospitals and schools.
