Wiikwemkoong gets $38 million for water, sewer upgrades to Rabbit Isl. subdivision

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Wiikwemkoong gets $38 million for water, sewer upgrades to Rabbit Isl. subdivision

Wiikwemkoong secured a $38M federal investment for water and sewer infrastructure, enabling major new housing developments at Ojibwe Heights and Rabbit Island Road.

Michael Erskine

Sep 22, 2026 - 8 min read

Wiikwemkoong Ogimaa Tim Ominika, at podium, gathers with members of staff, council as well as Lake Huron Regional Chief Scott McLeod on September 17 to share the good news of a $38 million federal investment to the community’s water and sewer infrastructure. Director administration Marcia Trudeau- Bomberry, Associate health director - Brandon Corbiere, Chief financial controller - Janine Pitawanakwat, Director Community Services -Dustin Peltier, Director Health- Diane Jacko, AN Lake Huron regional chief Scott Mcloed, Councillor Bernadine Francis, Councillor Darcy Solomon, CEO Shelley Trudeau, Director Infrastructure Joanne Recollet —photo by Michael Erskine

Wiikwemkoong gets $38 million for water, sewer upgrades to Rabbit Isl. subdivision — Wiikwemkoong Ogimaa Tim Ominika, at podium, gathers with members of staff, council as well as Lake Huron Regional Chief Scott McLeod on September 17 to share the good news of a $38 million federal investment to the community’s water and sewer infrastructure. Director administration Marcia Trudeau- Bomberry, Associate health director - Brandon Corbiere, Chief financial controller - Janine Pitawanakwat, Director Community Services -Dustin Peltier, Director Health- Diane Jacko, AN Lake Huron regional chief Scott Mcloed, Councillor Bernadine Francis, Councillor Darcy Solomon, CEO Shelley Trudeau, Director Infrastructure Joanne Recollet —photo by Michael Erskine

WIIKWEMKOONG—Dignitaries gathered at Wiikwemkoong’s Ojibwe Heights on Wednesday, September 16 for the announcement of a significant investment of $38 million by the federal government. The funds will enable the community to expand water and sewer infrastructure to support two new subdivisions, one at Ojibwe Heights, the site already cleared for development and the other near the end of Rabbit Island Road.

To start the announcement off, Shelley Trudeau, CEO of Wiikwemkoong operations, read a statement from the Honorable Gregor Robertson, minister of housing and infrastructure and minister responsible for Pacific Economic Canada. “Minister Robertson wishes he could be here with us today and send his regrets on the occasion of a Build Community’s Strong Fund investment in watermain infrastructure for Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory.

“The federal government contributed over $38 million to this project, which will bring clean, reliable piped water to new and existing homes in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory,” she read. “This investment will also deliver broad community benefits, including new roads, fire hydrants and power lines that support housing and infrastructure needs. Congratulations to everyone involved.”