A blizzard of pre-election funding announcements was made across the region in the days before Ontario Premier Doug Ford called a provincial election for Thursday, February 27. When added up, the amount totals $75,918,095.75 for the district of Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, represented by incumbent Progressive Conservative (PC) Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP), Stéphane Sarrazin.
Wastewater
On Monday, January 27, Sarrazin notified North Glengarry Mayor Jamie MacDonald that the province is providing $28,543,000 to the township for expansion of the Alexandria lagoon.
According to MacDonald, the expansion will make more residential development possible in Alexandria.
“We have received $28,543,000 from the provincial government for our lagoon and sanitary system in Alexandria, allowing us to finally approve housing subdivisions and make necessary repairs for the future,” MacDonald said in a social media post.
The funding for North Glengarry is from the provincial government’s Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund.
Roads
The provincial government is providing $14,279,883.75 to the City of Clarence-Rockland for the construction of the new Saint-Jean Major Collector Road. Sarrazin announced the funding with Clarence-Rockland Mayor Mario Zanth on January 27. According to the city, construction of the new road will enable the construction of 4,000 new housing units in the area.
The project will address the future requirements along parts of the 2.3 km length of the St. Jean Street–Montée Poupart Side Road corridor. The recommended solution involves widening the existing corridor and constructing roundabouts at major intersections. Once the project is completed, these upgrades will be complemented by continuous sidewalks, boulevards, and a multi-use pathway, ensuring accessibility and connectivity for all residents.
“This investment is a game-changer for our community. The improvements to the Saint-Jean corridor will not only enhance safety and traffic flow but also create the foundation for thousands of new homes, helping us meet the needs of our growing population,” Zanth said.
The construction of the Saint-Jean Major Collector Road marks a significant step forward in Clarence-Rockland’s vision for sustainable growth, providing essential infrastructure to support the development of vibrant, connected neighborhoods.
In Russell Township on January 27, Sarrazin announced the Ontario government will provide up to $6,343,750 to the township and the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) for the reconstruction of the Route 300 corridor to accommodate future growth and enhance regional infrastructure. The provincial funding will cover 50 per cent of the total estimated project cost of $12,687,750.
According to the township, there is a potential for the construction of more than 2,000 housing units in the area.
“This $6.3 million investment in Route 300 is one of the largest grants our township has ever received, demonstrating the dedication of our council and staff to advocating for the resources needed to support our growing community,” said Russell Township Mayor Mike Tarnowski.
The projects are currently in the conception phase, with construction planned to begin in summer 2026.
Education
Provincial funding for new schools across Ontario was announced by the province on January 27. The Conseil des Écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario is receiving $15.2 million for a new 268-student elementary school with 49 licensed childcare spaces in Russell. The Upper Canada District School Board is receiving $11.3 million for an addition to Cambridge Public School in Embrun, which will accommodate 427 additional students.
Police
On January 27, Sarrazin announced the government is providing $125,731 each for the Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRT) at the Hawkesbury and Russell County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachments. The funds from the Ministry of the Solicitor General will be used for MCRT operations which assist individuals with mental health needs during a police intervention.
