New infrastructure funding for small, rural and Northern communities in Ontario goes a long way to fulfilling the province’s commitment to Northern cities, Greater Sudbury Mayor Marianne Matichuk says.

Premier Kathleen Wynne, Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure, and Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, used the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference last week to announce the new Ontario Community Infrastructure. Fund will provide $100 million per year in funding for critical road, bridge, water and wastewater projects.

“Ontario is providing small, rural and Northern municipalities with stable, annual funding to build and repair critical infrastructure and help to create jobs across the province,” Mayor Matichuk says.

“A year ago, Premier Wynne and key ministers promised an open dialogue with Northern Mayors. Sustainable infrastructure funding is one of the key things we asked for, and the province has delivered,” Mayor Matichuk said.

Half of the funding for the initiative ($50 million) will be allocated annually using a fair and transparent formula, which recognizes that all municipalities have different infrastructure and fiscal needs.

To be eligible for the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund, municipalities must have a population of less than 100,000 as of the 2011 census or be located in Northern or rural Ontario.

The remaining $50 million will flow through an application-based process, allowing municipalities to continue partnering with the province to invest in critical infrastructure projects that will create jobs and support growth.