Ontario Investing More Than $2.5 Million for Critical Wastewater Infrastructure in Merrickville-Wolford

Funding will support housing, jobs and economic growth in municipality

MERRICKVILLE — Today, Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, announced the Ontario government is investing $2,558,216 to build critical water and wastewater infrastructure in Merrickville-Wolford.

Clark made the announcement at the municipal centre and said the municipality will use the funding as part of the Wellington Street West reconstruction project.

“This investment is helping modernize the core water and wastewater infrastructure that residents and businesses in the historic village rely on, while protecting the environment and water quality,” said MPP Clark. “I’ve worked closely with our local municipalities to help secure the funding they need to replace critical infrastructure without putting the full cost on property taxpayers and water system users. To date, our government has invested over $91 million in Leeds and Grenville through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program.”

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.

“We extend our sincere appreciation to MPP Clark and the provincial government for their commitment to our community through an allocation of $2,558,216. The Health and Safety Water Stream grant will provide essential funding for the Wellington Street West infrastructure replacement project, alleviating financial demands on water, wastewater, and storm water ratepayers,” said Merrickville-Wolford Mayor Michael Cameron. “Infrastructure projects present significant challenges for all municipalities – particularly within smaller rural communities in Ontario. We are truly grateful for this support from MPP Clark and the province’s continued commitment in helping small rural communities rebuild safe, resilient and critical infrastructure.”

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.”