Dufferin-Caledon getting $7.6 million for infrastructure

Written By Paula Brown

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Dufferin-Caledon has received additional funding from the Ontario government to help build and repair local infrastructure.

Sylvia Jones, MPP for Dufferin-Caledon announced the ‘significant increase' in funding in a press release on Dec. 9, which will see more than $7.6 million received by 10 municipalities across the region to address local infrastructure needs. 

“Our government appreciates how important it is that community infrastructure remains safe and reliable, and that local municipalities have what they need to create jobs, attract economic growth, and provide services that we rely on every day,” said Jones. “This substantial increase in funding in 2022 will help build and repair roads, bridges, water and wastewater infrastructure across Dufferin-Caledon.” 

Through the funding, the Town of Shelburne will be receiving $589,107 for 2022, and increase of $328,265 from last year. The Town of Orangeville is slated for more than 1.7 million in funding. 

Carey Holmes, the director of financial services for the Town of Shelburne, said in an email to the Free Press that staff and council have not had an opportunity to identify a specific project for the funding as of yet.

“It will be an eligible, capital expenditure for a core infrastructure project(s) such as roads, bridges, water and wastewater, including sanitary and stormwater facilities that are part of the Town's Asset Management Plan,” wrote Holmes. 

The funding announcement from the provincial government is part of an additional $1 billion investment. The multi-year funding is being delivered through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF), a fund specific to communities with populations under 100,000 along with rural and northern areas. This investment will bring the province's total investment to nearly $2 billion over the next five years. 

Other municipalities in Dufferin County who have received the funding for 2022 include: Grand Valley ($239,926), Mono ($449,565), Amaranth ($195,055), East Garafraxa ($111,761), Melanchthon ($108,537), and Mulmur ($148,507).

The County of Dufferin will also be receiving $911,292 while the Town of Caledon will see $3,144,160 in funds.