Ten of the 14 projects will be built in Northern Ontario, South of Owen Sound in Chatsworth and Hanover, in Picton and Perth, and west of Ottawa. All selected projects are located outside prime agricultural areas.

With the Liberals still leaderless and opposition attention split, Ford may see a window to push through difficult reforms before political competition intensifies.

“Less politicians makes a better government,” Nuttall said in an interview. “There are too many people, too many cooks in the kitchen, if you will.”

Nominations for the 2026 municipal elections are set to open May 1, and the new governance structures would take effect for the 2026–2030 term. Current councils would remain in place until new ones are sworn in later that year.

The province is preparing for a significant shakeup just ahead of the next round of trustee elections.