Ontario Helping Kenora and Dryden Build More Homes Faster
KEEWATIN — The Ontario government is investing over $8.1 million in critical infrastructure to facilitate the construction of up to 1,426 new homes in the Kenora and Dryden. The funding is being delivered through the Housing-Enabling Core Servicing Stream under the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, which includes $400 million to help build, repair and maintain municipal roads, bridges and culverts that will promote housing growth in communities across Ontario.
“Today’s investment is a testament to our partnership with municipal leaders like Mayor Poirier and Mayor Harrison and will unlock the potential for up to 1,426 families in our community,” said Greg Rickford, MPP for Kenora–Rainy River and Minister of Northern Development. “We know there is more work to do, and by continuing to leverage every tool at our disposal to invest in the roads, bridges, and services that connect us, we’re laying the foundation for a stronger, more resilient future in Kenora–Rainy River.”
This funding includes:
- $5,961,588 to support the City of Kenora’s Highway 17 and Keewatin Channel Bridge upgrade and rehabilitation, enabling up to 922 homes, and
- $2,147,487 to support the City of Dryden’s Van Horne Landing subdivision site servicing and road construction, enabling up to 504 homes.
“We thank Ontario’s Ministry of Infrastructure for the generous $5.9 million investment in improving Kenora’s roadways, bridges, and intersections,” said Andrew Poirier, Mayor of the City of Kenora. “This crucial funding will enhance traffic flow, promote active transportation, and help renew our aging infrastructure. The support from the Hon. Greg Rickford, alongside the City’s contributions, is vital for our community’s growth and development. Investing in improving our roads and bridges is an investment in the future of our community.”
“I want to thank Minister Rickford for his unwavering support of our city and Minister Graydon Smith for his action to initiate the surplus of the MNR Dryden Lake Base property in a phased-in approach that will make this land available for housing development,” said Jack Harrison, Mayor of the City of Dryden. “This funding announcement will initiate the development of necessary infrastructure at the south end of Van Horne Ave that will unlock a potential 30 acres of development in the urban area of our community.”
The government is also investing $175 million to launch the Health and Safety Water Stream under the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program. This new stream will support projects that will protect homes and create resilient communities by building, rehabilitating, and expanding aging water, wastewater, stormwater, flood, and erosion infrastructure.
“To keep pace with growing communities across our province, our government is helping municipalities build more homes faster than ever before,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “Families and residents need safe and reliable roads and bridges to access these homes and travel safely to and from their destinations. That’s why we are making targeted, local investments through the Housing-Enabling Core Servicing Stream to support the construction of municipal roads, bridges and culverts that keep residents safe and foster stronger, more connected communities across Ontario.”
Through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program and the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund, Ontario is providing nearly $2 billion to support housing- and community-enabling infrastructure and build more homes across the province.
QUICK FACTS
- The government is investing $125.8 million under the Housing-Enabling Core Servicing Stream to projects in small, rural and Northern municipalities that do not have housing targets. Of the total 58 projects receiving funding, 31 projects will support these communities.
- Details on the Health and Safety Water Stream and eligibility are available at ontario.ca/housinginfrastructure.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES