February 13, 2026

$26M FOR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT HOUSING, JOBS, ECONOMIC GROWTH IN RIDING, SAYS MPP SMITH

BRACEBRIDGE — Provincial funding for safe drinking water, housing, job creation, and protection in extreme weather events was announced here today.

MPP Graydon Smith said Ontario is investing up to $26,315,406 to build, upgrade, and rehabilitate water infrastructure in Shawanaga First Nation, the District of Muskoka, the Town of Parry Sound, and the Village of South River.

It’s money from the province’s Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program – Health and Safety Water Stream (MHIP-HSWS) and increased funding by $700 million for a total of $875 million, a release from him said.

“Our government is helping municipalities fund critical infrastructure projects that improve quality of life and strengthen access to safe, reliable drinking water and housing. We are committed to supporting small towns and rural communities by investing in the essential infrastructure they need today and for the future,” he said.

**District of Muskoka chair Jeff Lehman, left, and fellow politicians welcomed the provincial funding this afternoon in Bracebridge. PHOTOS MPP’s office**

Projects include:

$9,342,801 to Shawanaga First Nation for Drinking Water Distribution Rehabilitation
$8,285,605 for the District of Muskoka to support backup power for water and wastewater resiliency

Muskoka will use its share for backup power upgrades for essential infrastructure, which is becoming more important as it faces more severe weather events. As well, seven wet well upgrades will help support housing development and better manage frequent storm events.

$7,163,125 to the Town of Parry Sound is for upgrades and rehabilitation at its sewage treatment plant.
$1,523,875 to the Village of South River will help upgrades at its water treatment plant.

The vital pump upgrades and new centrifuge will boost efficiency, slash sludge management costs, and continue to deliver clean, affordable, safe drinking water for our residents today and future residents as we grow.

The government release says the funding is part of a $4 billion MHIP investment included in Ontario’s $220 billion capital plan to build transit, highways, hospitals, schools, and water infrastructure that enables new housing.

“Our investments will deliver more homes, modernize aging water systems, and lay the foundation for long-term prosperity across Ontario,” added Todd McCarthy, Acting Minister of Infrastructure, in the release.