Ontario Investing in Infrastructure to Protect and Build Communities

Applications now open for the next round of the province’s Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund

Press Release – Office of the Premier

Today at the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference, Premier Doug Ford announced that as part of the government’s ongoing record investments in community infrastructure, applications are now open for the next round of the $500 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF).

This round of CSRIF will make $100 million available for funding, with applications open from August 17 to December 22, 2026. Premier Ford also confirmed that through the Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build, the province and federal government will be providing $1 billion for housing-enabling infrastructure in municipalities that do not levy development charges on new homes.

“Ontario’s $236 billion investment in infrastructure is providing unprecedented support to municipalities across the province, so we can grow the economy, unlock our resources, protect our workers and build the strongest and most competitive economy in the G7,” said Premier Ford. “Our investments in community and housing-enabling infrastructure, combined with our full cut to the HST on new homes, are building stronger communities and saving families up to $200,000 off the cost of a home.”

CSRIF, which funds the construction and repair of local sport and recreation facilities, was increased from $200 million to $500 million in the most recent provincial budget, with the aim of supporting local community projects, creating good-paying jobs, promoting active, healthy living and giving the next generation of Ontario athletes a place to train and hone their skills. The first round of CSRIF has already enabled nearly 100 projects, including the construction of 17 new facilities and the revitalization of 77 more, supporting thousands of local jobs in construction. The latest intake will make the program the largest investment in the sport and recreation sector in the province’s history.

“Ontario succeeds when our communities succeed,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “That’s why our government is focused on finding real, practical and innovative solutions that grow our economy, create good-paying jobs and build the infrastructure our communities need to succeed. We know that government works best when we work together, and we’re proud to partner with municipalities across Ontario to cut red tape, unlock growth and create the conditions for investment and opportunity. Together, we’re building a stronger, more competitive Ontario that is ready to succeed today and for generations to come.”

To support the government’s plan to build more homes and lower the cost of housing, Canada and Ontario signed a partnership that will deliver up to $8.8 billion in federal and provincial funding over 10 years for housing-enabling infrastructure projects. Yesterday, on the first day of the annual AMO conference, Ontario and Canada announced that $1 billion of this funding will be reserved to support the construction of homes and critical infrastructure in communities that do not levy development charges. This funding will be made available through a new Non-Development Charge Municipalities Stream of Ontario’s Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP), with applications to open on October 29, 2026.

The remaining funding of up to $7.8 billion will be used to fund housing-enabling infrastructure projects in municipalities that substantially lower development charges on new homes through Ontario’s Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP). The first funding allocation through the DCRP was announced in June, with the City of Toronto receiving $1.5 billion in recognition of its commitment to reduce development charges by 40 to 60 per cent. Additional allocations are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. When combined with the recent 13 per cent cut to the HST on new homes, Ontario and Canada are lowering the cost of new homes by up to $200,000, getting more shovels in the ground and creating thousands of good-paying construction jobs.

“The new Non-Development Charge Municipalities Stream is part of Ontario’s $4 billion MHIP to deliver core infrastructure such as roads, bridges and water systems that will create more jobs, build more homes, maintain existing homes and grow the economy,” said Todd McCarthy, Acting Minister of Infrastructure. “The $1 billion provincial-federal investment will add to the approximately 800,000 new homes already being enabled through MHIP and help even more municipalities get shovels in the ground on housing-enabling infrastructure.”

"Strong communities need strong infrastructure. Whether it’s the arena where a child learns to skate, the community centre where neighbours come together, or the roads, water and wastewater systems that make new housing possible, municipal infrastructure is the foundation of healthy, growing communities,” said Robin Jones, President Association of Municipalities (AMO) and Mayor, Village of Westport. “We welcome these investments and the continued partnership between municipalities and the province to build the communities Ontarians need and deserve."

"Our government’s historic investment in local sport and recreation infrastructure is helping build and upgrade the facilities Ontario families rely on to stay active, healthy and connected,” said Natalie Pierre, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Sport. “By increasing the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund to $500 million, we’re giving communities the support they need to bring forward bold projects that create jobs, unlock the economic benefits of sport tourism and help the next generation of athletes reach their full potential. This new intake means more communities can put shovels in the ground and get more people in the game."

Quick facts

• CSRIF funding is available to municipalities, Indigenous communities and organizations, non-profit organizations and (for new builds only) for-profit organizations. Find out more about the program, including application criteria.
• In the 2026 Ontario Budget, Ontario announced an additional $300 million investment in the CSRIF to help build and upgrade sport and recreation facilities across the province.
• The new Non-Development Charge Municipalities Stream is being administered under Ontario’s MHIP and Canada’s Build Communities Strong Fund.

Additional resources

• Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund
• Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program
• Building More Homes
• Ontario Builds: Our Infrastructure Plan