Funding will enable up to 2,552 homes and keep workers on the job
Markham-Unionville – The Ontario government is investing $4,848,407 in water infrastructure to help build approximately 2,552 new homes in Markham-Unionville. The funding is being delivered through the province’s Housing Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF), a stream of the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP).
“Our government is committed to ensuring that Markham-Unionville is equipped with the infrastructure necessary to thrive and expand,” said Billy Pang, MPP for Markham- Unionville. “By taking initiative and investing into water infrastructure, we are creating new housing opportunities and more local jobs, laying the foundation for a more productive and prosperous community for the many generations ahead of us.
Markham-Unionville will use the funding to complete the Enterprise Stormwater
Pumping Station Upgrade, which enhances the station’s capacity to manage stormwater for current and upcoming developments. This project will help unlock more housing opportunities and support economic growth in the local community.
“It’s the infrastructure we don’t see that sometimes is the most critical. This grant is a big help in upgrading the Enterprise Stormwater Pumping Station. We are able to
replace aging infrastructure and replace it with equipment that has greater capacity. This will support more new homes and enhance flood protection as the community grows.” said Mayor Frank Scarpitti.
The MHIP is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario and includes historic investments in housing- and community-enabling infrastructure that will help municipalities deliver the core infrastructure needed, such as roads and water systems, to lay the foundation for new homes in communities across the province.
“In the face of economic uncertainty, our government is investing in the future for the people of Ontario by doubling down on our plan to build,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “With our additional investments in the MHIP, we’re unlocking more housing and building critical infrastructure that will protect communities, keep workers on the job and lay the groundwork for a stronger economy.”
This round of funding brings the total number of homes enabled in Ontario through the MHIP to about 800,000. Investing in local infrastructure is part of the province’s more than $200 billion capital plan to build and improve transit, highways, hospitals, schools and other critical public infrastructure, while strengthening the economy for the future.
Quick Facts:
- The MHIP is currently comprised of four funding streams: the HEWSF stream, the
Housing-Enabling Core Servicing (HECS) Stream, the Health and Safety Water Stream
(HSWS), and the Agriculture and Irrigation Stream. HEWSF was recently consolidated
as a funding stream under the MHIP to improve the delivery of the province’s
infrastructure funding programs. - The province is also making a targeted investment of $82 million to support agricultural
infrastructure projects in Niagara Region and the Municipality of Leamington through the
new Agriculture and Irrigation Stream of the MHIP. Niagara Region will receive $41
million to build a new pipeline that will provide irrigation water to hundreds of farms and
agricultural businesses. Leamington will receive $41 million to expand its wastewater
infrastructure to support growth in the greenhouse sector. - Municipalities can also access $1 billion in flexible loans for housing-enabling water
infrastructure projects through the Infrastructure Ontario Loan Program.
Additional Resources
- Ontario Getting Homes and Infrastructure Built Faster and Smarter
- Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program
- Ontario Builds: our infrastructure plan
