Province invests $1-million in Oak Street Project

MPP Monique Smith
Media Release

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The McGuinty government is providing the City of North Bay with $1 million to assist in infrastructure upgrades on Oak Street that will contribute to the revitalization of North Bay’s downtown core, Nipissing MPP Monique Smith announced today.

“Reliable infrastructure is the foundation upon which strong northern communities are built,” said Smith. “By investing in the expansion of these essential services we are building capacity to accommodate new businesses that will create new services and job opportunities in the downtown and waterfront area.”

The $1 million grant, through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), will help upgrade municipal services on Oak Street including sewer, water and electrical distribution systems. The work will enable the widening of approximately 200 metres of Oak Street to accommodate additional vehicle and pedestrian traffic between Ferguson and Wyld Street. The funding will also be used toward the cost of installing approximately 750 metres of overhead electrical distribution and supply lines.

“We are on the side of northerners. That’s why we are investing in projects that are strengthening infrastructure in communities across the North,” said Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Northern Development and Mines and Chair of the NOHFC. “We expect these upgrades will help provide area residents and visitors with a revitalized downtown and waterfront area in which to live, work and do business for years to come.”

This initiative is just one way the Ontario government is helping northerners. Others include:

- A refocused Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation that works with the private sector to diversify and grow the northern economy, with additional initiatives in community infrastructure to help increase job creation.

- Hiring 33 new full-time water inspectors, investigators and other compliance staff province-wide to improve monitoring of water quality issues in our communities

- A $1.8-billion investment, over the next five years, in upgraded and expanded northern highways.

These initiatives are part of the government’s Northern Prosperity Plan. It has four pillars: Strengthening the North and its Communities; Listening to and Serving Northerners Better; Competing Globally; and Providing Opportunities for All.

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