The Ontario government is investing $5,771,984 to enhance water infrastructure in the Town of Gananoque, facilitating the construction of over 400 new homes. This funding is part of the first round of investments under the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund, which aims to support municipalities in developing, repairing, and expanding essential water infrastructure.
Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark, joined by Minister of Infrastructure Kinga Surma and Gananoque Mayor John Beddows, announced the funding at a recent event. The investment will be used to upgrade the Gananoque East End Pumping Station, a critical project that will enable the construction of 416 housing units in the town.
“I’m proud of the significant investments our government is making to help municipalities with the infrastructure upgrades they need to put shovels in the ground and get housing built faster,” said MPP Clark. “Housing is a priority for the people we represent, and I commend Mayor Beddows and the Town of Gananoque for their work on this project.”
The Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund is part of Ontario’s broader effort to address housing shortages by investing in key infrastructure. The province has allocated an additional $250 million to the fund, bringing its total investment to $1.2 billion.
“By investing in drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities, we are helping municipalities build more homes,” said Minister Surma. “Homes can’t be built without connections to drinking water and wastewater.”
Mayor Beddows expressed gratitude for the funding, noting that it will play a crucial role in sustaining and expanding the town’s infrastructure. “This investment by the government of Ontario is concrete proof of Queen’s Park’s commitment to support housing construction across the province and in municipalities of every size,” he said.
Ontario’s 2024 budget includes over $1.8 billion in housing-enabling infrastructure funding through the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund and the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program. These investments are part of the province’s $190 billion capital plan to build critical infrastructure and support growing communities across Ontario.
