KING CITY — Stephen Lecce, MPP for King-Vaughan, announced another critical investment to improve infrastructure in King by delivering $1.2 million to the Township to help renew and rehabilitate critical infrastructure. MPP Lecce continues to deliver provincial investment that improves the quality of life of families, seniors and farmers by improving broadband, paving roads, protecting drinking water and enhancements to accessibility of local buildings. The funding is being delivered through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) and is part of the government’s plan to support economic growth and improve the productivity and quality of life of rural communities.
“My number one priority remains delivering for families in King and Vaughan, including better infrastructure, roads, internet connectivity and keeping our streets safe,” said Stephen Lecce, MPP for King-Vaughan. “Every day I fight hard to ensure the King community – a community that was ignored by the former government – gets the investment it deserves so we can build modern state-of-the-art recreation centres, libraries, seniors’ centres, long-term care capacity and high-speed internet connectivity. I am proud to deliver to this significant investment in King knowing full well that it will support modern infrastructure that our rural community deserves.”
MPP Lecce has a track record of delivering funding for the community, including significant investment for the Schomberg Main Street Revitalization Strategy, repairs and upgrades to the municipal water system in King, and a new long-term care home in King City. Moreover, in 2022, the government improved internet and broadband connectivity in King through a $219 million investment to bring high-speed internet to more than 66,000 households in over 300 communities such as Kleinburg, Kettleby, and Schomberg; and $48 million for a project by YorkNet to bring high-speed internet access to over 3,000 homes and businesses in 31 communities across York Region, including King City, Nobleton, Laskay, Pottageville, Lloydtown, and across other concessions.
MPP Lecce also delivered the single largest provincial investment in King history with the $17.6 million provincial investment to help construct the Township-Wide Recreation Centre, in addition to the ongoing and significant work underway at King City GO station to expand parking and enhance services.
In 2024, the government will allocate $400 million in OCIF funding to help 425 small, rural and northern communities pay for critical infrastructure projects, including road, bridge, water, and wastewater projects. If necessary, a community may accumulate its funding for up to five years to address larger infrastructure projects.
“Small, rural and northern communities need stable funding for their unique infrastructure needs and to provide safe and reliable services,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “That’s why our government continues to provide funding, especially during these challenging economic times. Our investments in community infrastructure are helping to create jobs, build stronger local economies, and lay the foundation for a stronger, more resilient Ontario for generations to come.”
OCIF provides funding for local infrastructure projects in communities with populations under 100,000, as well as all rural and northern communities. Funding allocations are based on a formula that takes into account the different needs and economic conditions of each community.
"As the Mayor of King Township, it brings me great pleasure to share news of a substantial $1.2 million investment from MPP Lecce and the provincial government dedicated to the renewal and rehabilitation of essential infrastructure within our community,” said Steve Pellegrini, Mayor of King Township. “With the distinction of having the smallest population in York Region yet boasting the largest geographic area, addressing the maintenance challenges posed by our extensive infrastructure is crucial. This funding serves as a vital resource, allowing us to make strategic investments in critical infrastructure that directly contribute to enhancing the health and safety of our residents."
QUICK FACTS
This funding will be directed towards road paving, bridge improvements, and culvert replacements to maintain the safety and integrity of King Township’s core infrastructure.
This builds on the government’s doubled annual investment for OCIF to nearly $2 billion over five years since 2022 to support more local infrastructure projects in small, rural and northern communities. This has supported reconstruction of the roadway along Brownsville Court in the Township of King and replacement of the lining in the watermains along Western, Elmwood and Castlewood Avenues in Schomberg.
In 2021, King Township received $608,548 in funding to help build and repair infrastructure projects in our community such as roads, bridges, water and wastewater infrastructure.
As announced in Ontario’s 2023 Fall Economic Statement, the government is also protecting communities and unlocking new housing opportunities by investing $200 million over three years to help municipalities repair, rehabilitate and expand critical water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. Eligible municipalities will be able to nominate housing-enabling water and wastewater projects in early 2024 through the new Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund.
The 2023 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review: Building a Strong Ontario Together continues the government’s responsible, targeted approach, providing the flexibility needed to help address ongoing economic uncertainty and build critical infrastructure in growing communities, while laying a strong fiscal foundation for future generations.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
