MPP Jill Dunlop visits Severn and announces Ontario is investing almost $8.5 million in Simcoe North to Build More Homes

SEVERN & PENETANGUISHENE: The Ontario government is investing $7,820,125.00 in water infrastructure to help build approximately 3,055 new homes in the Township of Severn and $675,926.00 for approximately 1,000 new homes in the Town of Penetanguishene. The funding is being delivered through the province’s Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF), a stream of the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP).

“I am proud to congratulate the Town of Penetanguishene and the Township of Severn on securing this significant provincial funding through the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund – Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program,” said Jill Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North. “This investment will support vital water infrastructure upgrades, helping both communities accommodate future housing growth and meet the needs of residents for years to come. By strengthening essential services, we’re laying the groundwork for sustainable development and vibrant, thriving communities.”

The Township of Severn will use the funding for optimization of the Westshore Wastewater Treatment Plant while the Town of Penetanguishene will use the funding for Rehabilitation of Fox and Waterfront Sanitary Sewers. These projects will help unlock more housing opportunities and support economic growth in the local communities.

“Township of Severn is excited to receive this important investment, and we are truly grateful for the support provided by the Province of Ontario through the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund,” said Mike Burkett, Mayor of Severn. “This funding for Severn's infrastructure is essential for our long-term growth and will play a crucial role in ensuring that this growth remains sustainable. The project will improve the capacity of the Westshore Wastewater Treatment Facility, enabling an increase in the number of new housing units that the facility can accommodate, supporting future development in the Westshore area and contributing to the growth and vitality of the Severn community.”

“We are thrilled to receive this support from the Ministry of Infrastructure for the Rehabilitation of Fox and Waterfront Sanitary Sewers. This investment will allow us to rehabilitate existing sanitary sewers, maintenance holes and sanitary services, enhancing our capacity to treat and manage both wastewater and stormwater,” said Doug Rawson, Mayor of Penetanguishene. “It’s a significant step forward in ensuring the long-term sustainability and resilience of our infrastructure. On behalf of the Town of Penetanguishene, I extend our sincere thanks to the provincial government for their dedication to promoting growth through investments in essential water and wastewater projects.”

The MHIP is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario and includes historic investments in housing- and community-enabling infrastructure that will help municipalities deliver the core infrastructure needed, such as roads and water systems, to lay the foundation for new homes in communities across the province.

“In the face of economic uncertainty, our government is investing in the future for the people of Ontario by doubling down on our plan to build,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “With our additional investments in the MHIP, we’re unlocking more housing and building critical infrastructure that will protect communities, keep workers on the job and lay the groundwork for a stronger economy.”

This round of funding brings the total number of homes enabled in Ontario through the MHIP to about 800,000. Investing in local infrastructure is part of the province’s more than $200 billion capital plan to build and improve transit, highways, hospitals, schools and other critical public infrastructure, while strengthening the economy for the future.

Quick Facts

• The MHIP is currently comprised of four funding streams: the HEWSF stream, the Housing-Enabling Core Servicing (HECS) Stream, the Health and Safety Water Stream (HSWS), and the Agriculture and Irrigation Stream. HEWSF was recently consolidated as a funding stream under the MHIP to improve the delivery of the province’s infrastructure funding programs.
• Municipalities can also access $1 billion in flexible loans for housing-enabling water infrastructure projects through the Infrastructure Ontario Loan Program.

Additional Resources

• Ontario Getting Homes and Infrastructure Built Faster and Smarter
• Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program
• Ontario Builds: Our Infrastructure Plan

Contact the MPP's Office

Jacqueline Bayley
Executive Assistant to MPP Jill Dunlop
Email: Jacqueline.bayley@pc.ola.org 
Phone: 249-385-6244

Received via email and reissued with permission from the Office of MPP Dunlop, August 26, 2025.