Canada’s Transport Minister says the County should pay close attention to federal infrastructure grant
programs relating to trade diversification if they want the Government’s help on the $52 million County Road 49 rehabilitation project.

In a letter dated December 12, 2025 and received at Council, Minister Steven McKinnon acknowledged letters from Mayor Steve Ferguson and the Grain Farmers of Ontario. The letters, sent in September, highlight the necessity of  tripartite funding for the County highway. Both letters note that County Road 49 is a gateway for the many tourists who visit. Rehabilitation would strengthen Canada’s trade corridors and support rural communities.

The Minister reiterated a point made by Bay of Quinte MP Chris Malette: with very few exceptions, responsibilities for highway and road planning, construction, operation, maintenance, and financing fall under provincial and territorial jurisdiction. “Currently, Transport Canada does not have an open call for proposals that could help fund the County Road 49 rehabilitation project,” he wrote.

But  the 2025 federal budget includes a $5-billion Trade Diversification Corridors Fund for new trade and logistics infrastructure connecting Canada — including ports, railways, airports, highways. “This infrastructure will serve as the foundation for Canada’s trade and energy corridors, enable businesses to access new markets, and contribute to increased domestic and international trade,” the Minister wrote. “Additional information on this funding program, such as investment priorities and application procedures, should be available in the coming weeks.”

The new Parrish & Heimbecker grain facility at Picton Terminals could be a catalyst for the funds. When it announced construction would commence on the state-of-the-art facility in 2024, P&H said its new bulk agricultural marine terminal  on Picton Bay will provide crucial support to farmers in eastern Ontario by offering a closer, more efficient delivery option for corn, wheat, and soybean crops.

The P&H grain silos will start accepting shipments for marine transport during the 2026 harvest season.