Sault Ste. Marie has received approximately $293 million in federal and provincial grants over the past four years – supporting housing, roads and municipal infrastructure, public transit, economic development, recreation and community facilities.
Bringing senior-government funding into the community matters because it allows Sault Ste. Marie to move important projects forward while reducing the amount that must be funded entirely by local property taxpayers.
Housing has been one of the largest areas of investment. Major announcements during the term have included nearly $132 million supporting the construction of more than 380 housing units, along with $8.6 million through the federal Housing Accelerator Fund to support additional housing growth.
The City has also received significant outside funding for infrastructure and transit, including federal and provincial support for major transit upgrades and $19.25 million through the renewed Canada Community-Building Fund for infrastructure such as roads, water systems and public transit.
Funding Highlights
$8.6M to Accelerate New Housing
Federal funding is expected to support nearly 300 new homes over three years, helping accelerate housing construction.
$18.3M to Build the Twin-Pad Arena
Provincial funding helped replace the aging McMeeken Arena with a new twin-pad facility and complete the Northern Community Centre.
$5.2M to Extend Sackville Road
A long-deferred municipal project was finally completed after years of delays, bringing a longstanding community priority to completion.
Provincial support for a HART HUB
Community advocacy helped secure a HART Hub, expanding coordinated mental health, addictions and homelessness services in one place.
These investments have helped advance projects that had been discussed or deferred for years and have allowed the City to respond to growing needs without relying exclusively on the municipal tax base.
Outside funding has also supported recreation and quality-of-life projects. In 2026, Ontario announced more than $3 million for the 2028 Ontario Winter Games and redevelopment of the John Rhodes Community Centre. Other investments during the term have supported trails, parks and playgrounds, the Mill Market and other community facilities.
Altogether, approximately $293 million in federal and provincial grants has been secured during the term for projects and services across Sault Ste. Marie.
No municipality secures this level of investment alone. These projects involve City staff, Council, community organizations, developers and senior governments. My role as Mayor has been to consistently make the case for Sault Ste. Marie’s priorities, build relationships with provincial and federal decision-makers and ensure our community is positioned to compete for available funding.
Sault Ste. Marie is a “rock star” at building new homes, according to one provincial minister.
In a time where housing starts are waning due to economic uncertainty, Flack praised what Sault Ste. Marie has accomplished. “When you take a look at the results Sault Ste. Marie has delivered, you’ve done an outstanding job.”
