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Email this pageFinancing a Brownfield Project

There are a number of programs and tools in Ontario that may be used to help encourage brownfield redevelopment:

  • Many Ontario municipalities use their special financial tools to offer incentives to encourage brownfield redevelopment in their communities. The power to offer incentives is regulated by section 106 of the Municipal Act, 2001. For a listing of municipal brownfields financial incentives, including municipal contact information, links to relevant municipal documents, and types of incentives offered, view this chart. For a look at the geographic distribution of municipal brownfield financial incentives in Ontario, view this map.  (Note: view notes on this map.)

  • Community Improvement Plans are used by municipalities to set out a municipal framework for the rehabilitation of existing built-up areas. They may also include municipal financial incentive programs related to land: for example, grants and loans, which may encourage and stimulate private sector investment in municipal priority areas. For more information, contact your local Municipal Services Office.

  • The Brownfields Financial Tax Incentive Program allows municipalities to provide property tax assistance to property owners in connection with environmental rehabilitation of brownfields properties within an approved community improvement project area. Municipalities may also apply for matching education property tax assistance from the Province. Contact your local Municipal Services Office for further information.

  • Section 379 (7.1) of the Municipal Act, 2001 removes certain provincial Crown liens where a municipality chooses to assume ownership of a property that has failed a tax sale.

  • Tax Increment Financing is a fiscal tool for municipalities to assist with brownfield redevelopment and public infrastructure development, which is being introduced by the Province on a pilot basis. Two pilot projects currently underway are the proposed subway expansion in York Region and the West Don Lands brownfield redevelopment initiative, part of the revitalization of Toronto’s waterfront.

Please note that this use of the term "Tax Increment Financing" is very specific, and is distinct from the wide range of municipal financial incentives programs that may share similar terminology. Terminological issues are discussed in more detail at the following Description of Financial Incentive Programs.

Resources

  • Community Improvement Planning Handbook
    This handbook is intended to assist municipalities and others interested in community improvement planning under section 28 of the Planning Act. It includes practical information on how to access Ontario’s Brownfields Financial Tax Incentive Program.

  • Results of the 2009 Municipal Brownfield Financial Survey PDF File
    Since 2007, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Office of the Brownfields Coordinator has conducted an annual Municipal Brownfield Financial Incentive Survey with the help of municipalities, policy makers and stakeholders across Ontario. The 2009 survey focused on the use of Community Improvement Plans specifically relating to brownfield redevelopment.

  • Financial Tools for Brownfields Redevelopment PDF File (2.34MB)
    This document explains the various ways in which municipalities can offer financial incentives to the private sector for brownfield redevelopment and remediation.

Related Programs

  • Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund provides below-market loans and grants, as well as education and training services to support municipal initiatives that improve air, water and soil quality, and protect the climate.

  • Infrastructure Ontario is dedicated to the renewal of the province’s hospitals, courthouses, and other essential public assets. To ensure the appropriate public control and ownership, Infrastructure Ontario uses alternative financing and procurement to rebuild vital infrastructure, on time and on budget.

  • The Rural Economic Development (RED) program invests in projects that support sustainable rural communities and community partnerships. Revitalization of communities, which may include brownfields redevelopment, is a program priority.

  • Building Canada Fund - On September 12, 2008, Ontario launched the $200 million first intake of the Building Canada Fund-Communities Component program, which provides Ontario’s smaller towns and rural communities (those with population under 100,000 people) increased access to infrastructure funding. Over a six year period, the federal and provincial governments each expect to contribute a total of $362 million to the program for a combined investment of $724 million. Designed as a competitive, application-based program, the fund proposes to finance 17 categories of community-based infrastructure projects of which brownfield redevelopment is one. For more information, visit www.bcfontario.ca.

External Links Disclaimer

The Government of Ontario does not assume responsibility for any information, interpretation, comments or opinions expressed in the linked websites. These linked websites may or may not be available in French. Comments or inquiries pertaining to any of the linked websites should be directed to the particular organization for whom the particular website is being operated.