The Ontario government, in partnership with Brantford-Brant MPP Will Bouma, has announced a significant investment of $9.35 million in infrastructure upgrades for Grand River Street North in Paris, located in the County of Brant. The funding, delivered through the Housing-Enabling Core Servicing Stream under the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, is expected to support the construction of up to 4,215 new homes, marking a major step in addressing housing needs in the rapidly growing community.
This announcement brings the County of Brant’s total provincial funding for housing-enabling infrastructure to over $44 million in the past six months, underscoring ongoing efforts by local council, the Government Relations committee, and municipal staff to secure grants and reduce the financial burden on taxpayers.
“This $9.33 million investment in Grand River Street North Road and intersection improvements is a critical boost for Paris, one of Ontario’s fastest-growing communities,” said MPP Will Bouma. “Our government is ensuring that rural communities like ours benefit from the investments, infrastructure, and housing opportunities needed to thrive.”
The Housing-Enabling Core Servicing Stream is part of a $400 million initiative designed to help municipalities across Ontario build, repair, and maintain critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and culverts to encourage housing growth. The investment reflects the government’s broader commitment to expanding housing options and fostering connected, resilient communities.
“To keep pace with growth across the province, we are focused on helping municipalities build more homes faster,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “Safe and reliable roads and bridges are essential for residents and families to access housing and travel safely. Targeted investments like this one are key to strengthening communities and supporting local development.”
Brant Mayor David Bailey expressed his gratitude for the funding, emphasizing its importance for the county’s future. “This is excellent news for Brant. Our community is a highly desirable place to live, and this investment represents a vital step toward ensuring our infrastructure can meet the needs of our growing population. We are incredibly thankful to the provincial government for its support.”
In addition to the funding for Brant, the provincial government is investing $175 million in a new Health and Safety Water Stream under the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program. This funding will support projects aimed at rehabilitating and expanding aging water, wastewater, stormwater, flood, and erosion systems, further bolstering community resilience.
The Housing-Enabling Core Servicing Stream has allocated $125.8 million to 58 projects, with 31 of these benefiting small, rural, and Northern municipalities without housing targets. The County of Brant’s $9.35 million will specifically support infrastructure upgrades for Grand River Street North, facilitating much-needed housing development in the growing community of Paris.
Ontario has launched its most ambitious capital plan in history, committing over $191 billion to infrastructure projects over the next decade. These investments aim to modernize municipal infrastructure, support housing development, and strengthen communities across the province.
This funding marks a crucial step in addressing Ontario’s housing challenges while ensuring rural and growing communities have the infrastructure needed to thrive.
