By Matt Weingarden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
The federal government has announced a nearly $37 million grant from the Canada Housing and Infrastructure Fund (CHIF). The grant funds will support critical investments in Lakeshore’s water and wastewater infrastructure.
Lakeshore mayor Tracey Bailey and members of Lakeshore Council and administration joined Irek Kusmierczyk, Member of Parliament for Windsor—Tecumseh, at St. Clair Shores Park on March 22 to make the announcement.
The funding announcement is the largest grant Lakeshore has ever received, and the municipality is one of only 13 communities across the country to be approved for the first round of CHIF funding.
Lakeshore’s Water and Wastewater Master Plan, adopted by Council in October of 2024, will guide critical water and wastewater infrastructure investments over the next two decades. A financial analysis estimated the total cost over the 20 years of the plan to be $465 million when adjusted for inflation and other financial factors.
“I am proud to deliver the largest federal investment in Lakeshore’s history that will unlock thousands of homes for working families, seniors, and young people, and will create thousands of jobs by unlocking major manufacturing investment in Lakeshore’s industrial park and employment lands. It’s time to build, and today, with this historic housing and infrastructure investment, we unlock Lakeshore’s full potential.” said MP Kusmierczyk.
The grant will support the implementation of Conveyance Group 2 and 1, as part of Lakeshore’s Water and Wastewater Master Plan. They include:
· Conveyance Group 2:
o Replacement and upsizing of the existing trunk sewer along County Road 22 from Puce Road to the Denis St. Pierre Water Pollution Control Plant.
o Installation of a new trunk sewer along County Road 22 from Old Tecumseh Road to Puce Road.
o Pump station upgrades to improve pumping efficiency and increase wastewater capacity.
· Conveyance Group 1:
o Upgrades to St. Clair Shores and Maidstone Pump Stations to enhance system efficiency and capacity.
o Installation of a new trunk sewer along County Road 22, from Old Tecumseh Road to West Pike Creek Road.
o New forcemain on County Road 21.
· Replacement of sewer pipes along Patillo Road and Amy Croft Drive.
Earlier this year, Lakeshore also received over $7 million from the Government of Canada’s Housing Accelerator Fund. The funding will help lay the groundwork for the building of new homes over the next decade.
“This funding will not just help us meet the infrastructure needs of our communities today, but well into the future. The grant will accelerate the implementation of our Water and Wastewater Master Plan and deliver results by protecting our communities from flooding and creating capacity for new and affordable homes for residents of all ages,” said mayor Bailey.
From left; Lakeshore deputy mayor Kirk Walstedt, Lakeshore mayor Tracey Bailey, Irek Kusmierczyk, Member of Parliament for Windsor—Tecumseh and Ward 1 Lakeshore councillor Ryan McNamara attend a federal government announcement of nearly a $37 million grant from the Canada Housing and Infrastructure Fund (CHIF) on March 22.