Applications are now open for the next round of Ontario’s $500-million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF), Premier Doug Ford announced Monday at the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference.
This round of CSRIF will make $100 million available, with applications open from Aug. 17 to Dec. 22. Ford also confirmed that through the Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build, the province and federal government will provide $1 billion for housing-enabling infrastructure in municipalities that do not levy development charges on new homes.
“Ontario’s $236 billion investment in infrastructure is providing unprecedented support to municipalities across the province, so we can grow the economy, unlock our resources, protect our workers and build the strongest and most competitive economy in the G7,” Ford said. “Our investments in community and housing-enabling infrastructure, combined with our full cut to the HST on new homes, are building stronger communities and saving families up to $200,000 off the cost of a home.”
CSRIF funds the construction and repair of local sport and recreation facilities. It was increased from $200 million to $500 million in the most recent provincial budget. The first round of the fund has already enabled nearly 100 projects, including the construction of 17 new facilities and the revitalization of 77 more.
Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack said the province is focused on practical solutions that grow the economy and build needed infrastructure. “We know that government works best when we work together, and we’re proud to partner with municipalities across Ontario to cut red tape, unlock growth and create the conditions for investment and opportunity,” he said.
The province and Canada have also signed a partnership delivering up to $8.8 billion in funding over 10 years for housing-enabling infrastructure. Of that, $1 billion will go toward a new Non-Development Charge Municipalities Stream under Ontario’s Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP), with applications opening Oct. 29. The remaining $7.8 billion will support Ontario’s Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP), which in June saw Toronto receive $1.5 billion for committing to cut development charges by 40 to 60 per cent.
Acting Infrastructure Minister Todd McCarthy said the new funding stream will add to the roughly 800,000 new homes already being enabled through MHIP. “The $1 billion provincial-federal investment will add to the approximately 800,000 new homes already being enabled through MHIP and help even more municipalities get shovels in the ground on housing-enabling infrastructure,” he said.
CSRIF funding is available to municipalities, Indigenous communities and organizations, non-profit organizations and, for new builds only, for-profit organizations.
AMO president Robin Jones welcomed the investments. “Strong communities need strong infrastructure. Whether it’s the arena where a child learns to skate, the community centre where neighbours come together, or the roads, water and wastewater systems that make new housing possible, municipal infrastructure is the foundation of healthy, growing communities. We welcome these investments and the continued partnership between municipalities and the province to build the communities Ontarians need and deserve,” she said.
Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Sport Natalie Pierre said the increased fund will help more communities move forward with major projects. “By increasing the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund to $500 million, we’re giving communities the support they need to bring forward bold projects that create jobs, unlock the economic benefits of sport tourism and help the next generation of athletes reach their full potential,” she said.
