NEWS RELEASE MATTHEW RAE, MPP FOR PERTH-WELLINGTON
[Perth-Wellington] – Today, Matthew Rae, MPP for Perth-Wellington, announced $3 million, $141,267 and $1,651,711 in local infrastructure funding for the City of Stratford, Town of Minto, and Township of Wellington North, respectively.
This funding will help with the reconstruction of Huron Street in Stratford from Matilda St. to John St. (Highway 8), support a detailed design for reconstruction of Arthur Street West in Harriston and aid in the resurfacing of Main Street in Mount Forest (Highway 6). The funding is being delivered through the province’s Connecting Links program, which helps maintain vital roads and bridges that connect our communities.
“Maintaining and building new roads are essential to connect our rural communities,” MPP Rae said. “They are vital pieces of infrastructure for commuters, health care services providers, and getting our goods to domestic and international markets. I will continue to work with our municipal partners to advocate for our rural municipal councils to ensure they receive their fair share of provincial infrastructure funding.”
A connecting link is a designated municipal road or bridge that connects two ends of a provincial highway through a community, or to an international border crossing. This year, the Ontario government is investing $45 million in 29 projects to repair roads and bridges in 27 municipalities across the province.
“Over the next decade, our government is investing nearly $28 billion into highway infrastructure that will support our growing population and fuel our economy as we fight back against U.S. tariffs,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “We will continue to protect Ontario by supporting our municipal partners and delivering on our promise to make our province more competitive, more resilient and more self-reliant.”
“On behalf of the residents of Stratford, I wish to thank MPP Rae and the Provincial government for this important funding envelope. This partnership, with the province, allows the City to continue its necessary infrastructure investment for both transportation and housing growth while positively impacting our tax levy.”
Eligible costs for Connecting Links include the design, construction, renewal, rehabilitation and replacement of designated municipal roads and bridges. Municipalities are encouraged to apply for 2026-27 Connecting Links program funding when the intake opens later this year.
Funding as provided by the Ministry of Transportation:
