The Ontario government is investing an additional $4 million to help municipalities in southwestern Ontario prepare for and respond to risks associated with old and inactive oil and gas wells.
The funding announced in late 2025 will support nine municipalities as part of the province’s $23.6-million Legacy Oil and Gas Wells Action Plan, which aims to enhance public safety and reduce environmental risks posed by aging infrastructure dating back more than a century.
“Today’s announcement is yet another step our government is taking to help municipalities keep their communities safe from the risks of old and inactive oil and gas wells,” said Mike Harris, Minister of Natural Resources, in a statement.
Ontario’s petroleum industry dates to 1858, when North America’s first commercial oil well was drilled in Oil Springs. Today, the province maintains records for approximately 27,000 oil and gas wells, the majority of which are located on private land in southwestern Ontario. While many wells are inactive, some can pose safety and environmental hazards if not properly maintained or sealed.
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Since 2023, Ontario has provided close to $10 million to municipalities to improve emergency preparedness. Funding has supported the purchase of specialized response equipment, delivery of training programs, and coordination between municipalities to enhance response capacity and public awareness.
The County of Brant, where the latest funding announcement was made, will receive up to $185,000 to purchase equipment, including a hazardous gas detection drone, inflatable emergency shelter and specialized gas detectors.
“We remain committed to emergency planning and preparedness, and this investment provides our staff and first responders with the additional resources they need to keep residents safe and informed,” said Brant Mayor David Bailey.
Additional funding recipients include the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Norfolk County, Lambton County, Oxford County, Elgin County, Essex County, Haldimand County and the Regional Municipality of Niagara.
Emergency response organizations say the continued provincial investment is helping strengthen front-line preparedness.
“The Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs applauds the third-year investment under the Municipal Transfer Payment Program for mitigating risks associated with oil and gas related issues in Ontario,” said Jeremy Parkin, Fire Chief and President of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs. “The OAFC continues to work with Minister Mike Harris and the Government of Ontario on this important issue.”
The province is also addressing long-term risks posed by abandoned wells through its Abandoned Works Program, which provides financial assistance to landowners to plug high-risk wells. Ontario has invested $36.4 million through the program to plug 454 wells to date.
Legislative changes are also strengthening oversight. The Resource Management and Safety Act, 2025, introduced amendments to the Oil, Gas and Salt Resources Act, giving the province expanded authority to address hazardous wells in cases where operators fail to comply with safety and environmental requirements.
Jill Dunlop, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response, said preventing oil and gas emergencies remains a key priority.
“This important investment reflects Ontario’s commitment to protect families and communities across Ontario,” she said. “Preventing oil and gas related emergencies is critical to ensuring public safety and is a key component of our government’s plan to enhance Ontario’s ability to be safe, practiced and prepared.”
