Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson travelled through her riding on Friday, June 19th, to deliver funding in various communities.
At the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre in Southampton (Saugeen Shores), she presented a total of $132,973.56 on behalf of the government in support of important community initiatives to help strengthen public safety, emergency preparedness, tourism, and local events.
“This is not just about handing out money,” said Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson. “This is about recognizing organizations that are putting their heart and soul into making sure our small towns are surviving, and my goal is to be able to say thank you on behalf of the province for all the amazing work that is happening by our first responders to our festivals and downtown businesses. Rural small-town Ontario is very eclectic in terms of the economy and is contributing $116Billion to the provincial GDP with half from the agri-food sector alone. That says how much small-town Ontario matters. We are the pulse of the province and we need to make sure we are churning on all cylinders. Our needs and growth are different from large urban centres and we are demonstrating that we are a government that is listening, understanding, adapting and adjusting to those needs. Small towns have heart, work ethic and pride and I look forward to shining a light on that.”
Through multiple provincial programs, the following investments were 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.
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Deputy Chief Jeremy Mighton said that this week was particularly challenging for police in Ontario as they lost two officers in the line of duty. “These funds will help our officers to make sure that they are healthy to get out there.
The Town of Saugeen Shores will also 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.
Rob Atkinson, recently appointed Fire Chief, explained that “… after any incident where firefighters go through toxic contamination, all the gear is immediately removed for washing and the second set of clean gear available enables our firefighters to get right back into action.”
Earlier in the year of 2025, the province announced that it is doubling the investment in the Fire Protection Grant – from $10 million in its first year to $20 million in year two.
The Town of Saugeen Shores will also 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.
Kara Van Myall said that, in 2025, Saugeen Shores and Saugeen First Nation signed the Friendship Accord and “… the funds received will go toward developing the first Economic Development Strategic Plan in partnership between us.”
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.
Joanne Robbins of Pumpkinest also said that the grant will help with the infrastructure that in turn will help to keep admission prices down for families.
MPP Thompson said that the Minister of Tourism confirmed that Huron-Bruce has received the largest number of ‘Experience Ontario’ grants across the province. “It shows that we are a destination and there are so many good things coming. It’s not lost on me that so many people who fill the streets of Port Elgin during Pumpkinfest are visitors who create economic spin-offs.”
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.
“Strong communities are built when we invest in the people, organizations, and local initiatives that make our towns safe, vibrant, and welcoming,” added MPP Thompson. “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.”
The Rural Ontario Development (ROD) Program (former Rural Economic Development RED) 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 (and RED) Program. The third intake for the ROD Program opens on August 17, 2026.
