Petrolia, ON – The Town of Petrolia, in partnership with the Township of Enniskillen are proud to confirm the receipt of both a Federal contribution in the amount of $1,347,802 from the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF) Program and funding of more than $2 million dollars from the Government of Ontario through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program’s Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (MHIP-HEWSF).

The CHIF program was designed to increase housing supply and support community growth by investing in the water and solid waste infrastructure needed to deliver essential services.

CHIF aims to accelerate the construction and upgrading of housing-enabling drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste infrastructure, directly supporting the creation of new homes and increasing densification. This investment is part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to address the impacts of the housing crisis on communities of all sizes across Canada.

The Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund under MHIP helps municipalities develop, repair, rehabilitate and expand critical drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. The program supports the province’s growing population by ensuring communities have the necessary water infrastructure to support the building of new homes.

The Petrolia Line capital project includes replacing the existing 200mm watermain with a 300mm watermain from the east side of Bear Creek to Oil Heritage Road, then south to Oil Heritage Road. The new watermain will extend beyond its current boundary to the future development entrance on Oil Heritage Road. This critical infrastructure upgrade will unlock more than 1,000 new homes, representing a 40% increase in Petrolia’s housing supply.

The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada said, “Through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund, our government is helping communities like Petrolia and Enniskillen build the critical infrastructure needed to unlock more housing. Reliable water and wastewater systems are the foundation of sustainable growth, and this investment will support over a thousand new homes for local families. By working together with our provincial and municipal partners, we’re ensuring that communities across Ontario have the tools they need to grow and thrive.”

“Investing in local infrastructure is part of our government’s plan to protect Ontario, strengthen the economy and create more jobs,” said Ontario’s Acting Minister of Infrastructure, Todd McCarthy. “The Watermain Upsizing on Petrolia Line project is part of our government’s $4 billion investment in critical infrastructure that will make new housing possible. For the Town of Petrolia and the Township of Enniskillen, this project will help enable more than 1,000 new homes.”

Deputy Mayor Joel Field said, “I am so pleased to see this project moving forward with the support of the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario. I would like to extend our thanks to MP Marilyn Gladu and MPP Bob Bailey for their continued advocacy, and for their unwavering support for Petrolia. The Council of the Town of Petrolia are strong advocates for working together with developers and our Federal and Provincial partners to build homes in Petrolia.”

Mayor Kevin Marriott added that, “Another excellent opportunity for our communities to work together for the betterment of all. The Council of the Township of Enniskillen are pleased to be a part of this initiative to help build more homes faster and are aligned with the provincial goalposts. We extend our thanks to both MP Marilyn Gladu and MPP Bob Bailey also, as they are both excellent supporters of our Township.”

The upsizing is expected to take 6 weeks and started in mid-September.