SAUGEEN SHORES — The Ontario government is providing up to $132,973.56 to support important community initiatives in the Town of Saugeen Shores, helping strengthen public safety, emergency preparedness, tourism, and local events.
Through multiple provincial programs, the following investments are recognized in the Town of Saugeen Shores:
- The Saugeen Shores Police Service Board will receive $25,000 through the Mental Health Supports for Public Safety Personnel (MHS4PSP) Program to support mental health resources for public service members and public safety personnel.
- The Town of Saugeen Shores will receive $36,223.56 through the Fire Protection Grant to purchase 10 sets of bunker gear. This investment will help ensure firefighters can remain in service while other protective equipment undergoes necessary decontamination.
- The Town of Saugeen Shores will receive $25,000 through the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant (CEPG) to purchase drones that will assist emergency teams with safer, faster, and more accurate damage assessments following severe weather events. The technology will improve the ability to assess impacts, identify stranded individuals or blocked routes, and support emergency response operations.
- The Town of Saugeen Shores will receive $15,000 through the Rural Ontario Development (ROD) Program to support the development of the Saugeen Community Tourism Strategy 2026-2031, helping strengthen tourism opportunities and economic growth in the community.
- Port Elgin Pumpkinfest will receive $31,750 through the 2026 Experience Ontario Program to support this signature community event and help attract visitors from across the region and beyond.
“Strong communities are built when we invest in the people, organizations, and local initiatives that make our towns safe, vibrant, and welcoming,” said Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron-Bruce. “These investments in Saugeen Shores will help support our dedicated first responders, improve emergency preparedness, strengthen tourism, and ensure residents and visitors continue to enjoy the many opportunities our community has to offer.”
QUICK FACTS
- Earlier in the year of 2025, our government announced that we are doubling the investment in the Fire Protection Grant – from $10 million in its first year to $20 million in year two.
- The CEPG supports small to medium-sized municipalities, local service boards, First Nations communities, Tribal Councils and Indigenous service organizations. Since the program launched in 2023, the province has invested $15 million to provide 342 recipients with grants.
- The Rural Ontario Development (ROD) Program supports local projects from municipalities, small businesses, not-for-profits and Indigenous groups. Since 2019, Ontario has invested $34.3 million in 653 projects through the ROD Program and the former Rural Economic Development Fund. The third intake for the ROD Program opens on August 17, 2026.
- The Ontario government is investing more than $20 million in 396 festivals and events across the province this year. Delivered through Experience Ontario 2026, this investment is the largest in three years and will support the greatest number of festivals and events strengthening tourism and supporting local economies while celebrating the people, places and traditions that make Ontario unique.