News July 16, 2026
RENFREW-NIPISSING-PEMBROKE — The Ontario government is investing $15 million in
ongoing funding through the Northern Ontario Resource Development Support (NORDS)
Fund to help northern municipalities continue to improve local infrastructure and support
responsible economic growth in the North. As part of its plan to protect Ontario, this funding
is one more way the province is supporting good-paying jobs and building stronger northern
communities and a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy.
In 2025-26, the Ontario government provided over $94,000 through the NORDS Fund to
South Algonquin to support investments in local infrastructure.
“This $94,722.11 investment through the Northern Ontario Resource Development Support
Fund will help ensure communities like South Algonquin have the reliable infrastructure they
need to grow and succeed,” said Billy Denault, MPP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke.
“Strong roads are essential for residents, businesses and the resource industries that drive
our local economy. I want to thank the Government of Ontario and Minister George Pirie for
continuing to invest in northern communities and the infrastructure that keeps them
connected and competitive.”
The NORDS Fund helps municipalities across northern Ontario invest in vital infrastructure
such as roads and bridges, access new economic opportunities through resource
development and help mitigate the impacts of resource development on local infrastructure.
Resource development operations, such as mining, forestry and agriculture, are an important
part of the provincial economy, yet they can also disproportionately impact northern
municipal infrastructure. NORDS helps these municipalities strengthen local infrastructure,
invest in long-term community growth and support sustainable development.
“Ontario’s northern communities are an essential part of our province,” said George Pirie,
Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “Making NORDS an ongoing fund
means northern municipalities can plan, invest with confidence and maintain the critical
infrastructure that resource development operations rely on and ensure benefits are shared
close to home.”
All 144 northern Ontario municipalities, as defined under the Places to Grow Act, 2005, are
eligible to receive NORDS funding. Municipalities will have an opportunity to submit projects
through Transfer Payment Ontario later this summer. The Ministry of Northern Economic
Development and Growth will contact municipalities about next steps and provide assistance
and funding details.
Since its inception in 2021, NORDS has provided $75 million to fund municipal infrastructure
projects across northern Ontario. In 2025–26, the Ontario government invested $94,722.11 through NORDS to support the reconstruction of Hay Creek Road in the Township of South
Algonquin.
“Strong municipalities are the backbone of Ontario. This $15 million annual investment through
the NORDS Fund will help northern communities build modern, critical infrastructure and
ensure families and businesses in the North have what they need to grow and succeed,” said
Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “This is part of our plan to protect Ontario and build
the most competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy in the G7.”
The 2026 Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario outlines how the government is advancing its plan
to protect Ontario by making the province one of the most competitive places to invest and do
business in the G7, while building a more resilient and self-reliant economy.
Quick Facts
● All 144 northern Ontario municipalities, as defined under the Places to Grow Act, 2005,
are eligible to receive NORDS funding.
● Funding allocations are determined using household counts in each municipality.
● The NORDS program will fund infrastructure projects related to resource development
such as roads rehabilitation or bridge improvements related to mining, forestry or
agriculture.
● The NORDS Fund was initially created as a five-year program ending in 2026.
● Since 2021, our government has invested $675 million through combined programs,
such as NORDS, the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund and the Municipal
Housing Infrastructure Program, to help revitalise infrastructure in northern Ontario.
Quotes
“The continuation of the NORDS program for the next three years is a critical investment in
the future of Northern Ontario. NORDS has proven to be a highly impactful tool for our
municipalities, helping to unlock local economic opportunities, strengthen infrastructure, and
support sustainable growth across the North. We thank Minister Pirie for his leadership and
the Government of Ontario for recognizing the importance of this program and responding to
the needs of Northern communities.”
— Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) President, Rick Dumas
“FONOM is very pleased to see the NORDS program is continuing, as it has been a priority
we have long advanced with the province. This program plays a key role in helping northern
municipalities address longstanding infrastructure gaps while supporting communities
experiencing growth tied to resource development. The ability to stack funding over multiple
years is particularly important, as it allows municipalities to move forward with larger
infrastructure projects that would otherwise be out of reach. This flexibility strengthens
municipal financial planning and ensures communities are better positioned to support
economic development and future growth.”
— Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) President, Dave Plourde
“This investment is about working hand in hand with our municipal partners to get more
shovels in the ground for housing and the infrastructure that supports growth. By
strengthening roads, bridges, and water systems across Northern Ontario, we’re creating the
right conditions to build new homes, grow local industries, support good-paying jobs, and
build a stronger economy today while setting the province up for long-term success.”
— Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
“Our government is supporting northern communities with historic infrastructure investments
delivered through initiatives including the annual NORDS Fund, the Ontario Community
Infrastructure Fund and the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program. As part of our capital
plan, we are continuing to build and renew critical infrastructure to strengthen communities,
keep workers on the job and protect Ontario.”
— Todd McCarthy, Acting Minister of Infrastructure
Additional Resources
● 2026 Ontario Budget
● 2025-26 Northern Ontario Resource Development Support Fund Quotes
MEDIA CONTACTS
For additional information, please contact:
Krystal Moreau, Constituency Assistant
Office of Billy Denault, MPP
613-735-6627
krystal.moreau@pc.ola.org