TORONTO — The Ontario government is opening a second intake of its $20 million Rural Ontario Development Program, expanding support aimed at strengthening local economies, building infrastructure and sustaining employment in smaller communities across the province.
The province announced the new intake Monday at the 2026 annual Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference in Toronto. Applications are now open to rural municipalities, businesses, Indigenous groups and not-for-profit organizations, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing said.
“In the midst of global economic uncertainty, our government is doubling down on our plan to protect Ontario and its rural communities,” said Premier Doug Ford. “We’re making record investments in rural services and infrastructure, and we’re cutting red tape and keeping costs down to help attract investments and create jobs in rural communities. I appreciate the support and collaboration from ROMA and all our rural communities as we work together to protect workers and their families from tariffs, economic uncertainty and anything else that comes our way.”
The Rural Ontario Development Program is part of the province’s broader rural economic strategy, which the government says is designed to support community growth and long-term resilience. The announcement comes as municipal leaders continue to press the province for funding to address aging infrastructure and to unlock housing development in smaller centres.
The Ford government has framed the program within its wider economic messaging, emphasizing cost containment, investment attraction and job protection amid external pressures. At ROMA, the province is holding more than 650 meetings with municipalities and municipal organizations from across Ontario, with topics including housing, infrastructure, transportation, health care and international trade.
“Our government is working to protect the people and families who call rural Ontario home,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “From making investments in infrastructure, to supporting Ontario farmers, to creating the conditions to get more homes built, we are doing what is needed to keep workers on the job and safeguard the bright future that is in store for our rural communities. Our appreciation goes out to the many municipal partners and ROMA Chair, Christa Lowry, who are working tirelessly to advance these goals alongside us.”
The latest intake follows a series of recent provincial infrastructure announcements targeted at municipalities and First Nations communities. Last week, Ontario said it would provide an additional $700 million to help 127 municipalities and First Nations communities upgrade and expand aging water infrastructure across the province.
That funding is being delivered through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP), which the province increased to a total of $4 billion last year. The $700 million will flow through MHIP’s Health and Safety Water Stream (HSWS), which now totals $875 million within the broader $4 billion envelope.
The province said the water funding is intended to support access to safe drinking water, facilitate housing development, support job creation and help communities respond to extreme weather events.
“Our government is protecting Ontario by investing up to $875 million in local water systems through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program’s Health and Safety Water Stream. This funding builds on previous investments in municipal water infrastructure and will ensure safe, reliable water services for 127 municipalities and First Nations, while protecting communities from extreme weather, supporting housing and keeping workers on the job,” said Todd McCarthy, Acting Minister of Infrastructure.
ROMA, the rural arm of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), has positioned the conference as a key venue for advancing rural priorities and ensuring smaller communities have a direct channel to provincial decision-makers.
“Modern water systems and a new Rural Ontario Development Program intake help rural growth and sustainability. This support allows municipalities to fix aging infrastructure, while unlocking our communities’ economic potential. When rural Ontario thrives, the entire province prospers. We thank members of the Ontario Government for attending ROMA and we look forward to working together on our shared priorities,” said Christa Lowry, Christa Lowry, Chair, Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA), Mayor, Mississippi Mills.
AMO president Robin Jones said the conference provides a platform for municipal and provincial leaders to align on shared economic and community-building goals, including housing and local growth.
“The ROMA Conference is about the opportunity for municipal and provincial leaders to have meaningful conversations about how we can build a stronger rural Ontario together. Municipalities stand with the province to shield our economy from external pressures. With provincial support, we can protect our quality of life, build more homes, and drive growth in every corner of Ontario,” Jones said.
The Rural Ontario Development Program is part of Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Strategy, which the province released a year ago and continues to position as its framework for rural investment. Minister of Rural Affairs Lisa M. Thompson said the strategy is intended to help rural communities navigate uncertain economic conditions.
“Since it was introduced a year ago, Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Strategy is protecting rural communities and helping them to thrive in these uncertain economic times. This strategy, which includes the Rural Ontario Development Program, supports our whole-of-government approach to ensure rural Ontario continues to be the best place to live, work and raise a family,” Thompson said.
Beyond municipal infrastructure, the province also highlighted agricultural and northern transportation investments as part of its rural and regional economic agenda. Ontario previously announced additional support for the Ontario Risk Management Program, with plans to invest $250 million per year by 2027-28 to support the agri-food sector during market instability.
“Our government is committed to protecting our farmers, helping to make their businesses more resilient and competitive – even as they face pressures outside of their control. Increasing annual funding for the Risk Management Program to $250 million by 2027 will support farmers in responding to market challenges, while also driving progress on our ambitious Grow Ontario Strategy goals,” said Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.
The government also pointed to approximately $583 million in planned spending this year through the Northern Highways Program, including widening Highway 69 from Sudbury to Parry Sound, upgrading Highway 584, and expanding sections of the Trans-Canada Highway in northwestern Ontario.
“Our government is making historic investments in northern highway infrastructure as part of our plan to protect Ontario by building a stronger, more resilient economy. These investments will improve traffic flow along critical arteries as our province continues to break down barriers to interprovincial trade and support good-paying jobs for workers and industries across Ontario,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation.
Procurement and trade pressures were also part of the province’s messaging, with Ontario linking its Buy Ontario Act to supporting small and rural businesses.
“Through the Buy Ontario Act, our government is leveraging our procurement spend to keep jobs and our money right here at home. With U.S. tariffs hitting our workers and businesses, we’re stepping up to protect Ontario — especially the small and rural businesses that feel it the most. By working together with municipalities, we’re building a stronger, more self reliant Ontario,” said Stephen Crawford, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement.
