Funding will support housing, jobs and economic growth
NEWS February 20,2026
Peterborough— Today, MPP Dave Smith announced the Ontario government is investing up to $8,691,562 to rehabilitate water infrastructure in the City of Peterborough The funding comes from the province’s Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program’s Health and Safety Water Stream (MHIP-HSWS), which has increased by $700 million for a total of $875 million to support access to safe drinking water, housing, job creation and protection for communities in the event of extreme weather events.
“Our government is taking the necessary steps to ensure that Peterborough has the robust, modern infrastructure needed to support our growing community,” said Dave Smith, Member of Provincial Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha. “By investing nearly $8.7 million into the rehabilitation of water systems at Lansdowne and Park Street, we are not only protecting our access to safe drinking water but also clearing the way for new housing developments. This is about building a safer, more prosperous Peterborough where families can thrive for generations to come.” Added MPP Smith.
The MHIP-HSWS funding will be used in the City of Peterborough to improve the Infrastructure at Landsdowne Street and Park Street.
“This significant provincial investment in Peterborough’s water infrastructure is critical to protecting public health and supporting our city’s continued growth,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Reliable, modern water systems are the foundation of safe neighbourhoods and economic development. We thank the Province of Ontario and MPP Dave Smith for recognizing the importance of investing in core infrastructure that will serve our community today and for generations to come.”
This funding is part of a historic investment of $4 billion in the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP), included in Ontario’s $220 billion capital plan, the most ambitious in the province’s history, to build transit, highways, hospitals, schools and water infrastructure that enables new housing.
“As we continue to navigate economic uncertainty and unwarranted U.S. tariffs, our government is protecting Ontario by investing in critical infrastructure that drives growth, creates jobs and strengthens communities,” said Todd McCarthy, Acting Minister of Infrastructure. “Through our historic $4 billion Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, we are giving municipalities and First Nations the tools they need to get shovels in the ground and build stronger communities. Our investments will deliver more homes, modernize aging water systems and lay the foundation for long-term prosperity across Ontario.”
QUICK FACTS
· In August 2025, Ontario increased the MHIP to $4 billion to speed up construction of homes and core infrastructure, such as roads and water systems. Since its launch in 2024, the MHIP has made about 800,000 more new homes possible.
- The MHIP is comprised of four funding streams: the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF), the Housing-Enabling Core Servicing (HECS) Stream, the Health and Safety Water Stream (HSWS) and the Agriculture and Irrigation Stream.
- In January 2025, Ontario announced an initial investment of $175 million to launch the HSWS.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Ontario Investing $1.6 Billion in Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program
- Ontario Getting Homes and Infrastructure Built Faster and Smarter
- Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program
- Health and Safety Water Stream
Office of Dave Smith,
MPP Peterborough-Kawartha
705-742-3777
dave.smithco@pc.ola.org