Ontario Investing $5,103,947 for Critical Water Infrastructure in the City of Kenora, and $162,881 in the Municipality of Machin

January 21, 2026

Funding will support housing, jobs and economic growth

KENORA — Today, MPP Greg Rickford announced the Ontario government is investing up to $5,103,947 for the rehabilitation of the Kenora Wastewater Treatment Plant and $162, 881 for the rehabilitation of the Vermilion Bay Water Treatment Plant. 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 here in Kenora and Machin,” 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 the water of the treatment plants that residents in Kenora and Machin rely on, today and into the future.”

The MHIP-HSWS funding will be used in Kenora to upgrade the Kenora Wastewater Treatment Plant, which services approximately 5,200 households, including Wauzhushk Onigum First Nation. This funding will replace critical plant equipment and control systems to ensure that treatment requirements protect the health and safety of the environment, are energy-efficient, and maintain services to all households. Additionally, in the Municipality of Machin, the Vermilion Bay Water Treatment Plant will receive the replacement of two distribution pumps, repairs to fire pumps, structural improvements to flooring, PH meters and additional upgrades to critical infrastructure.

“The City of Kenora and City Council would like to acknowledge Hon. Greg Rickford and the Province of Ontario for this substantial funding. This funding helps significantly offset the cost of replacing the most critical treatment equipment components that have reached end of life at Kenora’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. This investment will enhance the reliability of Kenora’s wastewater infrastructure, protecting public health and the environment for years to come. I would also like to acknowledge the City’s administrative team that contributed extensive technical knowledge and detailed information for this application. Their hard work was instrumental in securing these funds.”

Mayor Andrew Poirier, City of Kenora

“We are extremely grateful for this much-needed funding for our water treatment plant, which will allow us to complete critical asset replacements and continue providing safe, reliable service to our community. Our water treatment plant was upgraded over 15 years ago, and with inflation, the rising costs make it extremely difficult to keep operating the plant, so programs like this are necessary to ensure the facility remains active and running at a high standard.”

Mayor Gordon Griffiths, Municipality of Machin

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.