Ontario Investing $2,122,419 for Critical Water Infrastructure in Animakee Wa Zhing First Nation

February 9, 2026

ANIMAKEE WA ZHING FIRST NATION— Today, MPP Greg Rickford announced the Ontario government is investing up to $2,122,419 for the Regina Bay and Windigo Island Septic Replacements. 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.

“This expanded funding for critical water infrastructure will contribute to strengthening the safety and reliability of water services for Animakee Wa Zhing First Nation,” said Greg Rickford, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kenora-Rainy River. “The Health and Safety Water Stream is ensuring the safety, functionality and longevity of treatment plants that community members rely on, today and well into the future.”

The MHIP-HSWS funding will be used in Animakee Wa Zhing First Nation to replace a total of 60 septic fields across the two communities.

“Animakee Wa Zhing is a First Nation with two communities: Windigo Island on the west side of Lake of the Woods and Regina Bay near Sioux Narrows. The Health & Safety Water stream funding is much needed and appreciated. This support will allow us to address critical wastewater infrastructure needs in our two communities. Meeting the infrastructure requirements of our citizens is an important step toward our development and prosperity.”

• Chief Linda McVicar, Animakee Wa Zhing

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.”

QUICK FACTS

 

• In August 2025, Ontario increased the MHIP to $4 billion to speed up construction of homes and core infrastructure, such as roads and water systems. Since its launch in 2024, the MHIP has made about 800,000 more new homes possible.
• The MHIP is comprised of four funding streams: the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF), the Housing-Enabling Core Servicing (HECS) Stream, the Health and Safety Water Stream (HSWS) and the Agriculture and Irrigation Stream.
• In January 2025, Ontario announced an initial investment of $175 million to launch the HSWS.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Ontario Investing $1.6 Billion in Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program
• Ontario Getting Homes and Infrastructure Built Faster and Smarter
• Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program
• Health and Safety Water Stream