The Ontario government is investing $15 million in ongoing funding through the Northern Ontario Resource Development Support Fund to help northern municipalities continue improving local infrastructure and supporting responsible economic growth in the North.
“Our government is committed to supporting the growth of our northern and rural communities,” said Graydon Smith, MPP for Parry Sound-Muskoka. “This fund helps northern municipalities strengthen local infrastructure and invest in their future. I’m pleased to see our government keeping NORDS in place beyond the 2025-26 fiscal year and making it annual funding.”
A news release states that the investment is “…one more way the province is supporting good-paying jobs, building stronger northern communities, and creating a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy.”
The $2,104,167.29 from the NORDS Fund in 2025-26 will be distributed to 20 municipalities across the Parry Sound District for infrastructure upgrades.
2025-26 NORDS Fund Allocations in the Parry Sound District
| Municipality | Allocation | Project Name |
| Armour | $96,381.16 | Replacement of North Pickerel Bridge |
| Burk’s Falls | $69,295.43 | Ontario and Victoria Street upgrades |
| Carling | $114,630.66 | Pengally Bay Road improvements |
| Cockburn Island | $53,426.29 | Road rehabilitation |
| Joly | $60,314.94 | Strong-Joly Boundary Road barrier replacement |
| Kearney | $96,994.28 | Chetwynd Road reconstruction and resurfacing |
| Machar | $82,928.46 | Large culvert replacement |
| Magnetawan | $124,693.14 | Bridge #17 Miller |
| McDougall | $120,617.66 | Bunny Trail repairs and rehabilitation, Phase 2 |
| McKellar | $109,328.93 | Hurdville Road |
| McMurrich/Monteith | $81,125.15 | Yearley Road improvements 2025 |
| Parry Sound | $163,788.92 | Continued rehabilitation of Bowes Street, Joseph Street, Church Street, and the corner of Wood Street and Isabella Street extension |
| Perry | $112,250.29 | Granite application on Fern Glen Road |
| Ryerson | $72,721.72 | Peggs Mountain Road resurfacing |
| Seguin | $232,098.34 | Oastler Park Drive rehabilitation |
| South River | $69,187.23 | Industrial Access Road rehabilitation |
| Strong | $85,958.02 | Lakeshore Drive rehabilitation |
| Sundridge | $68,465.90 | Rehabilitation of William Street, Park Street and Market Street |
| The Archipelago | $170,569.37 | North Shore Road rehabilitation |
| Whitestone | $119,391.40 | Wahwashkesh, Edgewood and East Townline Road |
“Ontario’s northern communities are an essential part of our province,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “Making NORDS an ongoing fund means northern municipalities can plan, invest with confidence and maintain the critical infrastructure that resource development operations rely on, while ensuring the benefits are shared close to home.”
“The continuation of the NORDS program for the next three years is a critical investment in the future of northern Ontario,” said Rick Dumas, President of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association. “NORDS has proven to be a highly impactful tool for our municipalities, helping to unlock local economic opportunities, strengthen infrastructure and support sustainable growth across the North. We thank Minister Pirie for his leadership and the Government of Ontario for recognizing the importance of this program and responding to the needs of northern communities.”
All 144 northern Ontario municipalities, as defined under the Places to Grow Act, 2005, are eligible to receive NORDS funding. Municipalities will have an opportunity to submit projects through Transfer Payment Ontario later this summer. Funding allocations are determined using household counts in each municipality. The Ministry of Northern Economic Development and Growth will contact municipalities about next steps and provide assistance and funding details.
