The province is hoping significant changes will make it easier for municipalities to receive funding for infrastructure. Indigenous and Municipal Relations Minister Eileen Clarke announced a new 'Single-Window' opportunity for municipalities to apply for infrastructure funding, allowing municipalities to apply for all types of infrastructure projects at once. It marks a significant change from the former practice of having four different time-frames to apply, with each earmarked for a specific type of infrastructure such as roads or bridges. Clarke says this will greatly benefit municipalities, as they'll no longer have to keep track of several deadlines for infrastructure funding.

"For municipalities, especially for their administration, it's huge. It cuts down on a lot of time. All of the information will be on one site, in one place. For them to present that to their councils, it's a win-win situation. The fact this has been announced, they can now start applying immediately."

She anticipates the change could also impact smaller municipalities, by making it easier for them to apply and giving them the knowledge that the funding will be there in the future. The way municipalities apply isn't the only change being made by the province, as they also adjust the amount allocated for projects. Clarke notes historically funding agreements have seen an equal, three-way split between the provincial, federal, and municipal governments, but a boost in infrastructure funding from the feds means they're adjusting the amounts.

"With some of the new changes with the federal government, they're funding 50 per cent of the some of the infrastructure. Twenty-five per cent will then be from the provincial government, and 25 per cent from the municipality. For municipalities and for the province, we do have a saving in that area."

The province indicates the funding available from the first provincial intake is $63.84 million. Municipal governments need to apply for funding through the program by August 26th.