The governments of Canada and Ontario are committed to ensuring that all Canadians have access to safe, clean and reliable drinking water. The Government of Canada is making historic investments to support Indigenous communities, including strengthening on-reserve water and wastewater. These investments safeguard the health and well-being of residents, protect waterways and preserve local ecosystems.

“All Canadians should have access to safe and reliable drinking water. Working in partnership with First Nations across Ontario, the Government of Canada is supporting sustainable solutions to address water infrastructure on-reserve. Today’s investment will help First Nations better protect public health and safeguard the property and livelihoods of residents and businesses while conserving the local environment.”

The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay–Superior North, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“By supporting First Nations’ progress toward sustainable access to reliable water and wastewater services, we are helping to build a cleaner environment and healthier, more livable communities. The province of Ontario is committed to investing in the repairs and restorations needed to local clean water and wastewater infrastructure.”

The Honourable Bill Mauro, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Member of Provincial Parliament for Thunder Bay–Atikokan, on behalf of the Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure

“Fort William First Nation has been in need of the approved Infrastructure projects for quite some time. On behalf of the Chief of Fort William First Nation, I would like to acknowledge both the governments of Canada and Ontario for following through on the commitments that they made to ensure that First Nation communities have the same access to clean drinking water and state of the art infrastructure, that the rest of the Canada benefits from. This investment into the First Nations communities will help to ensure the protection, health and well being of First Nation people and resources.”

Michelle Solomon, Councillor, on behalf of Chief Peter Collins, Fort William First Nation

• For the 235 projects announced today, the federal government is funding up to 50 per cent of project costs—$8,885,876. The provincial government is providing up to 25 per cent—$4,442,944, and the recipient First Nations will cover any remaining costs.

• The Government of Canada will provide more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, transportation that supports trade, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.

• $21.9 billion of this funding will support green infrastructure projects, including $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

•  Ontario is making the largest investment in hospitals, schools, public transit, roads, bridges, water and wastewater in the province's history – more than $190 billion in public infrastructure over 13 years, starting in 2014–15. To learn more about what's happening in your community, go to Ontario.ca/BuildON.

Related Products

• Backgrounder: Canada and Ontario announce funding for clean water and wastewater infrastructure projects in Ontario

Associated Links

• Government of Canada’s $180-billion+ infrastructure plan in Budget 2017
• Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario
• The Clean Water and Wastewater Fund
• Build ON 2017 Infrastructure Update

Brook Simpson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-219-0149
brook.simpson@canada.ca

Alex Benac
Minister’s Office
Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure
416-326-2137
alex.benac@canada.ca

Kristy Boucher
Communications Officer & Executive Assistant-Office of the Chief
Fort William First Nation
1.807.623.9543 ext. 217
kristyboucher@fwfn.com

Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: media@infc.gc.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada