Ontario Helping Build More Homes in Huron-Bruce

by Bob Montgomery

The provincial government has announced a total of $12,331,672.80 in funding to enable the construction of new homes in Bluewater, Goderich and South Bruce. 

The funding is being delivered through the first round of investments under the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund, which includes $970 million to help municipalities develop, repair, rehabilitate and expand drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. “This funding is key to unlocking the potential of realizing more homes in Huron and Bruce,” said Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron–Bruce. “Investing in drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities is a must in order to accommodate the demand for more housing throughout rural Ontario.” 

The municipality of Bluewater will receive $8,347,000 for expansion of the Bayfield Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion. Bluewater Mayor Paul Klopp says development in Bayfield and the potential development areas around Bayfield have been held up for some time because they weren't hooked up to the sewage system. Klopp says putting the cost all on future growth and tying up the capital of Bluewater residents was unfair. Klopp says the funding announced by the government will allow more residential development and maybe even some small industries. Klopp says he's very grateful to the government for recognizing their need and providing the funding to help them address the problem.

The town of Goderich will receive almost $3.3 million to increase the water supply capacity at the Goderich Water Treatment Plant. Mayor Trevor Bazinet says water supply capacity has been a concern for some time given the growth in the town over the last few years and this funding will allow them to provide the necessary capacity and he's very grateful to Huron-Bruce MPP for advocating for Goderich, Huron County and Bruce County. He adds this funding will allow them to grow as much as they want to grow.