Ontario Government Launches New Rural Economic Development Strategy at ROMA Conference
Toronto, ON — The Ontario government unveiled a series of measures to boost economic growth and infrastructure in rural communities during the 2025 Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference. The announcements, led by Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson, and Minister of Infrastructure Kinga Surma, signal continued investment in the future of rural Ontario.
At the heart of the announcements is the launch of a new Rural Ontario Development Program, part of the province’s Rural Economic Development Strategy. Minister Lisa Thompson highlighted the program’s annual $10 million in funding, aimed at bolstering workforce capacity, economic growth, and business development.
“Our government believes in and is committed to enabling opportunity, which is the foundation from which we built Ontario’s rural economic development strategy,” said Minister Thompson.
Premier Ford emphasized the importance of rural communities in Ontario’s prosperity, noting, “Our government is continuing our historic investments in the success of rural Ontario because we understand how critical rural Ontario is to the success of the entire province.”
I was at the annual ROMA conference this morning to speak about the investments our government is making in Ontario’s rural communities.
We’re going to keep working with our municipal partners to build roads and infrastructure, improve services and stand up for Ontario workers… pic.twitter.com/e6WhgxRZl2
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) January 20, 2025
Key Initiatives Announced
Minister of Infrastructure Kinga Surma introduced two critical components of the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP):
- Health and Safety Water Stream: Applications for this $175 million fund will open on February 12, 2025. It will focus on ensuring access to clean drinking water, reliable wastewater services, and protection from extreme weather.
- Housing-Enabling Core Servicing Stream: The province has approved funding for 58 projects across 60 municipalities from this $400 million initiative. These projects aim to enable up to 160,000 new homes and improve roadways in growing communities. Successful applicants will be announced in the coming weeks.
“Our government is working with municipalities and First Nations to ensure they have the support they need to maintain crucial water infrastructure assets and promote housing growth in their communities,” said Minister Surma.
Rural Economic Development Strategy
The newly launched Enabling Opportunity: Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Strategy focuses on three pillars:
- Safe and Strong Rural Communities: Supporting local leadership, improving municipal and community infrastructure, optimizing rural connectivity, and developing housing and transportation plans.
- Business Development and Attraction: Encouraging entrepreneurship, diversifying regional economies, and revitalizing rural downtowns.
- Growing the Rural Workforce: Raising awareness of job opportunities, attracting workers, and supporting skills development.
By doubling the previous program’s funding to $10 million annually for the next two years, the province aims to address challenges in rural areas while creating new opportunities for growth.
Provincial Collaboration with Rural Leaders
The ROMA conference, which serves as the rural voice of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), provided a platform for provincial and municipal leaders to advance priorities for rural communities.
With initiatives targeting economic development, infrastructure, and housing, the Ontario government has reaffirmed its commitment to the future of rural communities, aiming to foster vibrant, connected, and prosperous regions across the province.
SOURCE Province of Ontario
