Premier Ford – OCIF Funding continue – FONOM l The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities

July 29, 2026

Premier Ford – OCIF Funding continuePremier Doug Ford

Legislative Building, Room 28, Queen’s Park

Toronto, Ontario

M7A 1A1

Dear Premier Ford,

On behalf of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM), representing 110 municipalities across Northeastern Ontario, I am writing to request an update regarding the future of the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) beyond the current funding commitment.

FONOM appreciates the Province’s continued investment in municipal infrastructure through OCIF. Since its creation, the program has become one of the most important tools for infrastructure funding available to small, rural, and Northern municipalities, allowing communities to invest in roads, bridges, water, wastewater, and other critical municipal infrastructure.

Recently, several municipalities, including Wawa, Shuniah, Magnetawan, and East Ferris, have adopted resolutions requesting that the Province provide certainty about the future of OCIF. FONOM shares those concerns and believes this issue is becoming increasingly important for municipalities across Ontario.

Municipalities are now actively updating their Asset Management Plans, reviewing infrastructure priorities, and developing 10-year capital forecasts. Although Ontario’s municipal elections are approaching, municipal staff continue to undertake the detailed work necessary to prepare long-term capital plans that will guide future councils. Those plans rely heavily on understanding the funding available through provincial infrastructure programs.

Without certainty regarding OCIF beyond the current funding commitment, municipalities are left making difficult decisions about project timing, debt financing, reserve contributions, and infrastructure priorities. This uncertainty can delay important projects, increase costs, and make it more difficult for municipalities to coordinate provincial funding, federal infrastructure programs, and local capital investments.

FONOM respectfully requests an update on the Province’s plans for OCIF, including whether the Government intends to continue the program beyond its current commitment and, if so, whether municipalities can expect a renewed multi-year funding framework. Early confirmation of the Province’s intentions would provide municipalities with the certainty they need to make informed financial decisions and responsibly manage public infrastructure.

FONOM also encourages the Province to consider maintaining OCIF as a predictable, multi-year infrastructure program with funding allocations communicated well in advance. Municipal infrastructure projects are planned over many years, not months, and stable, predictable funding is essential to effective asset management, sound financial planning, and responsible stewardship of public infrastructure. This aligns with recent municipal resolutions calling for a renewed multi-year framework and predictable allocations to support long-term planning.

Premier Ford and your government have consistently recognized the importance of investing in municipal infrastructure to strengthen communities, support economic development, and improve quality of life. FONOM believes that providing municipalities with certainty regarding the future of OCIF is a natural extension of that commitment and will enable local governments to continue delivering infrastructure projects efficiently and responsibly.

Thank you for your continued support of Ontario’s municipalities. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter further and look forward to your response.

Yours,

Dave Plourde, President of FONOM

cc: The Honourable Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

The Honourable Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure

AMO

ROMA