Expanded Provincial Funding Brings Big Opportunities for Rural Ottawa
There’s good news on the horizon for Ward 21 and all of rural Ottawa. A major expansion in access to provincial funding means our rural communities are better positioned than ever to grow stronger, more vibrant, and more resilient. These developments mark a critical turning point for the region and signal long-awaited recognition of the unique needs and contributions of rural residents, businesses, and communities.
The Ontario government recently launched the Rural Ontario Development (ROD) program, a significantly enhanced initiative aimed at supporting rural economic and community development. The program introduces four new and targeted funding streams that address the core priorities rural communities have been raising for years:
Economic diversification, competitiveness, and capacity building
Workforce development, attraction, and retention
Community infrastructure enhancements
Small business development
These streams reflect a more comprehensive approach to rural funding. One that not only supports shovel-ready projects but also fosters long-term sustainability, economic resilience, and job creation. From expanding broadband internet and improving roads to helping local businesses scale up and succeed, the potential impact is big.
However, perhaps most transformative is the program’s expanded definition of what qualifies as “Rural Ontario.” Unlike previous programs, the ROD program uses updated population and density criteria, along with rural postal codes, to determine eligibility. This more inclusive approach means that significant portions of rural Ottawa, including large parts of Ward 21, now qualify for funding that was previously out of reach.
For years, much of Ottawa’s rural area, despite its agricultural character, low population density, and unique infrastructure needs, was excluded from key funding programs due to its inclusion within a larger urban municipality. With this new definition, our communities finally stand on equal footing with other rural regions across Ontario.
This expansion is also the result of strong local advocacy. I campaigned on the need to modernize the Province’s outdated definition of ‘rural’ to better reflect the realities of communities like ours. I’m proud to share that this change marks a significant campaign accomplishment, bringing tangible benefits to the people of Ward 21.
City staff have already confirmed with the Ministry of Rural Affairs that this new eligibility will unlock valuable resources for our communities. The Rural Affairs Office is actively working to spread the word, equipping local businesses and organizations with tools to apply, and adding detailed guidance to the Rural Business Toolkit. The City is also exploring opportunities to apply for funding directly in areas like infrastructure renewal, transportation, and economic development partnerships.
These provincial changes come at a time when the City of Ottawa is also taking important steps to strengthen rural representation and planning. The City’s Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee (ARAC) recently approved major updates to its Terms of Reference designed to give the committee a stronger, clearer mandate and to ensure that rural perspectives are included at every level of decision making.
These updates, shaped in large part by feedback received during the 2024 Rural Summit, will help ARAC more effectively address longstanding issues and emerging challenges. Under the revised framework, ARAC will have broader responsibility for matters outside the urban boundary, including:
Oversight of rural infrastructure projects
Input on City land acquisitions and buildings in rural areas
Review of rural transportation policies and transit service needs
Direction on rural ditching, drainage, and maintenance
Advocacy on provincial and federal legislation affecting agriculture and rural industries
Collaboration with Planning and Housing on Official Plan amendments for rural village and urban boundary expansions
Taken together, these municipal and provincial developments represent a meaningful shift in how rural Ottawa is being heard, valued, and supported. They send a powerful message: that the economic health, environmental stewardship, and cultural vitality of our rural communities are essential to the future of the City as a whole.
For Ward 21, this is not just good news, it’s an invitation to take bold steps forward. With the right tools, support, and leadership, we can leverage this new access to build stronger infrastructure, support our small businesses, create local jobs, and ensure that rural voices continue to help shape Ottawa’s future.