Ottawa — This week, Ontario ministers and parliamentary assistants met with over 320 municipalities and held nearly 800 meetings with municipal officials at the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario ( AMO ) conference. During the four-day event, the province furthered its record investments in municipal and community infrastructure, including the following new measures that will strengthen communities, build more homes, improve access to critical services and create thousands of good-paying jobs:
Ontario and Canada are investing $1 billion to help municipalities that do not levy development charges build more homes. The new Non-Development Charge Municipalities Stream (Non-DC Stream) of the Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build will help municipalities build and renew housing-enabling infrastructure such as roads, bridges and water systems, with applications opening October 29, 2026.
Ontario has opened applications for the next intake of the province’s $500 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund ( CSRIF ), with this intake valued at $100 million. The government’s investment through CSRIF is promoting active, healthy living, building stronger communities and giving the next generation of Ontario athletes a place to train and grow their skills.
In September, Ontario is launching the next call for proposals to create or expand approximately 78 primary care teams that will connect 600,000 more people to a family doctor or primary care provider. This $250 million investment is part of the government’s $3.4 billion Primary Care Action Plan and brings the province one step closer to connecting everyone in Ontario to primary care by 2029.
Ontario is investing over $1 billion in land ambulance funding, representing an average increase of nine per cent over 2025. Ontario is also continuing to strengthen public health units by providing one per cent growth base funding for 2027. Since 2018, provincial funding to public health units for public health programs and services has increased by approximately 24 per cent.
“Our government appreciates our strong partnership with Ontario’s 444 municipalities, which has enabled us to make meaningful progress on a number of shared goals,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Despite living through a period of significant uncertainty, Ontario continues to attract people and investment from around the world, building strong communities where people and families are positioned for success.”
AMO is a non-profit organization that represents Ontario’s 444 municipalities. The annual conference brings multiple levels of government together to advance shared priorities. This year, Ministers and parliamentary assistants held nearly 800 meetings with municipalities and municipal organizations from across Ontario. They discussed shared priorities including housing, infrastructure, public health and public safety.
Quick Facts
In the 2026 Ontario Budget, Ontario announced an additional $300 million investment in the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund to help build, and upgrade sport and recreation facilities across the province, bringing the total investment to $500 million.
Since 2024, Ontario has awarded over $3 billion through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program to support over 305 projects in more than 230 municipalities and First Nations communities.
Ontario is launching the third application window of the Rural Ontario Development ( ROD ) Program, which provides cost-share funding for projects that attract investment, strengthen workforce capacity and build long-term growth in rural communities across Ontario.
Quotes
“The AMO conference is an important opportunity for municipalities and the Ontario government to come together, have direct conversations and find practical ways to work together on the challenges facing communities. We welcome these investments and the recognition of the important role municipalities play in building strong, healthy communities.”
– Riley Brockington
President, Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)
Additional Resources
Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund
Primary Care Action Plan
Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program
Rural Ontario Development Program
Local government
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