Bruce Power has launched a $1-million Regional Municipal Readiness Assessment Fund to support municipalities across Bruce, Grey, and Huron counties in advancing planning related to the proposed Bruce C Project.
The new fund builds on previously announced pre-development initiatives, including the recently announced cost-sharing agreement between Bruce Power and the Government of Ontario for ongoing readiness activities such as technology selection, workforce and commercial planning, estimating the cost of site preparation activities, developing cooling water strategies, community readiness, and Indigenous engagement in addition to continuing the Impact Assessment (IA) process.
Beginning June 1, municipalities at both the county and local levels will be eligible to apply for funding. The initial application intake will run through August 1, with successful projects to be selected by September 1, 2026. Individual projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2027 and must not exceed $75,000 in total cost.
“Our government is focused on building a strong economy and ensuring Ontario has the reliable, clean energy it needs to power growth for decades to come,” said Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson. “Bruce Power’s Regional Municipal Readiness Assessment Fund is a welcome investment that will help communities across Bruce, Grey and Huron prepare for the opportunities associated with the proposed Bruce C Project. By supporting local planning and infrastructure readiness, this initiative will help municipalities attract investment, create good-paying jobs, and support sustainable growth, all while ensuring communities remain strong, vibrant places to live and work.”
The fund is designed to support studies and assessments that help municipalities prepare for the potential opportunities and impacts associated with the Bruce C Project, including:
- Transportation infrastructure
- Housing and workforce accommodation needs
- Water and wastewater infrastructure
- Land development planning
- Labour and workforce development
- Social infrastructure, including education, healthcare, and community services
“This fund is about ensuring that communities across our region have access to the information and planning tools they need,” said Pat Dalzell, Bruce Power’s Vice-President, Corporate Affairs and Market Development. “The Bruce C Project represents a significant, long-term opportunity for Ontario, and we are committed to working alongside our neighbouring municipalities to support thoughtful, responsible planning that reflects both local priorities and regional growth.”
The total value of the fund is $1 million, and if all funding is not allocated through the initial intake, Bruce Power will consider a future intake to support additional projects.
“Municipal leadership is critical in planning for large-scale infrastructure opportunities,” Dalzell said. “This new fund will help to ensure communities are well-positioned to capture economic benefits while maintaining the services and quality of life residents depend on.”
The application package has been sent to municipalities directly and is available by request (brucec@brucepower.com).
In addition to this funding program, Bruce Power has entered into dedicated funding agreements with the Municipality of Kincardine, the Town of Saugeen Shores, and Bruce County. These agreements will provide annual funding over a four-year period for these municipal governments to undertake infrastructure and readiness planning work.
The Bruce C Project represents a long‑term planning initiative aimed at supporting Ontario’s growing electricity needs, economic competitiveness, and clean energy goals, while ensuring that decisions are informed by rigorous technical analysis and meaningful engagement with Indigenous peoples, municipalities, and local communities.
Recent independent analysis and community polling underscore both the scale of the opportunity and strong local support for the proposed Bruce C Project. An Ontario Chamber of Commerce‑led economic impact assessment estimates the project could contribute more than $238 billion to Canada’s GDP over the project’s lifespan, while creating and sustaining an estimated annual average of 18,900 jobs nationwide during site preparation and construction. At the same time, independent Ipsos polling conducted in Bruce, Grey and Huron counties found that more than eight in ten residents (86%) support exploring the Bruce C project, with nine in ten (91%) believing it would be good for the community, reflecting growing awareness of the project and its potential economic and community benefits.
About Bruce Power
Bruce Power is an electricity company based in Bruce County, Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territory, Ontario. We are powered by our people. Our 4,200 employees are the foundation of our accomplishments and are proud of the role they play in safely delivering clean, reliable nuclear power to families and businesses across the province and cancer-fighting medical isotopes around the world. Bruce Power has worked hard to build strong roots in Ontario and is committed to protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which we live. Formed in 2001, Bruce Power is a Canadian-owned partnership of TC Energy, OMERS, the Power Workers’ Union and The Society of United Professionals. Learn more at www.brucepower.com and follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.