Ottawa,The Ontario government is moving forward with what it describes as “historic investments” to build stronger communities, accelerate housing construction, and expand health care services, with Premier Doug Ford pledging billions in new funding at the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference.
Housing and Infrastructure Expansion
At the centre of the announcement is a major boost to the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP). Premier Doug Ford confirmed an additional $1.6 billion, bringing the program’s total investment to $4 billion. The program is aimed at helping municipalities deliver the infrastructure needed to unlock more housing projects.
Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure, told delegates the move reflects Ontario’s commitment to both economic growth and resilience amid international trade pressures.
“Our government’s $4 billion investment in the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program will help communities across Ontario build the infrastructure they need to unlock more housing and support economic growth,” said Surma. “In the face of unwarranted U.S. tariffs, our government is doubling down on our plan to build and investing more than $200 billion through our capital plan to protect Ontario by getting shovels in the ground faster on critical infrastructure projects that will keep workers on the job and support stronger and more prosperous communities.”
The government also said it is exploring innovative approaches to the construction and operation of water services to support new developments and help municipalities expand housing more quickly.
Tackling the Housing Crisis
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack emphasized that Ontario is working directly with municipalities to bring down costs and speed up approvals.
“Through strong partnerships between our government and our municipal partners, we are ready to face the economic uncertainty caused by the U.S. tariffs and continue tackling the housing crisis,” Flack said. “Alongside our $1.2 billion Building Faster Fund, our government passed historic legislation to help municipalities get shovels in the ground and build homes faster so more families can live, work, and thrive in the communities they call home.”
The housing measures come at a time when municipalities are struggling with affordability pressures and growing demand for new developments.
Strengthening Health Care
Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones used the conference to highlight new investments in emergency services and primary care. Ontario will increase funding for land ambulances by an average of 8.7 per cent beginning in 2024, representing almost $1 billion in funding provincewide.
The investment is tied to Ontario’s broader $2.1 billion Primary Care Action Plan, which aims to connect every resident to a publicly funded primary care provider by 2029.
“Our government is making historic investments to protect Ontario’s health-care system and our communities, ensuring that more people across the province can connect to the care they need, where and when they need it,” said Jones. “Over the last year we have made progress, more patients and families are being connected to care, closer to home, and with our Primary Care Action Plan, supported by Dr. Jane Philpott, we will continue to add new and expanded primary care teams, so everyone in the province can access high-quality primary care.”
Jones also delivered an update on the Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs program, a nearly $550 million initiative to open 28 hubs across the province. Nine facilities are already in operation, with the rest expected to launch in the coming months. Collectively, the hubs will provide almost 900 supportive housing units—over 300 more than initially planned—helping people transition from homelessness into stable housing.
Partnership with Municipalities
The AMO conference has become a cornerstone for dialogue between municipal leaders and provincial officials. This year, government representatives held more than 800 meetings with municipal organizations—the highest number in the event’s history.
“AMO brings governments together to tackle shared challenges, and to promote social and economic prosperity for everyone, in every part of Ontario,” said AMO President Robin Jones, Mayor of Westport. “Collaboration is the key to making sure we all deliver the best results with the resources we have – whether the challenge is housing, infrastructure, local economies, Indigenous reconciliation, or environmental protection. Ontario’s communities prosper most when Ontario’s provincial and municipal leaders are working well together.”
Cutting Red Tape for Builders
Beyond financial commitments, the province is also streamlining regulatory processes to accelerate housing construction. The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is launching a new online property information system designed to reduce wait times from 30 days to as little as three days for search results. Officials estimate the system will save builders both time and money, helping to speed up new housing developments.
The government also reported progress in reducing ambulance offload times, with average waits declining by about 65 per cent since October 2022, thanks to investments in offload nursing programs and stronger collaboration between hospitals and emergency medical services.
Outlook
The Ford government is positioning these combined investments—spanning infrastructure, housing, health care, and social services—as part of a broader $200-billion capital plan designed to maintain growth and protect communities during economic uncertainty. With municipalities under pressure to deliver more housing and address rising health care needs, the province is framing its commitments as both immediate relief and long-term strategy.
