The Solutions: A long-term investment and financing strategy

Ontario is providing $216 million this year for clean water initiatives, including investments to help municipalities upgrade their water and wastewater systems and investments for watershed-based source protection. The government will invest almost $1 billion by 2010 for initiatives supporting clean water and the environment.

• Funding of $900 million is being provided to municipalities for water and wastewater infrastructure investments through the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF). Of the federal-provincial commitment of $249 million under the first intake of COMRIF, over $160 million will go towards water and wastewater projects.

• In August 2004, the Province appointed an expert panel to provide advice on the best way forward for water and wastewater services in Ontario. The panel has been charged with developing a plan to ensure that Ontario's water and wastewater systems are financially sustainable, that much-needed future investment in infrastructure takes place, and that water rates are affordable. The government anticipates releasing the panel's report soon.

• The government will use the panel's report to help develop an investment and financing strategy to ensure that the necessary investments in our water and wastewater systems take place. These investments will ensure that Ontarians continue to have access to clean, safe, affordable drinking water.