Ontario Investing $4 Million to Protect Communities from Legacy Oil and Gas Wells
December 18, 2025
Lambton County to receive $105,000 to enhance emergency preparedness
LAMBTON-KENT-MIDDLESEX — The Ontario government is investing nearly $4 million to protect communities from the risks associated with old and inactive oil and gas wells. As part of this investment, Lambton County is receiving $105,000 in provincial funding to enhance emergency preparedness and response. This investment is part of the government’s $23.6 million Legacy Oil and Gas Wells Action Plan.
“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. “This investment is helping us protect Ontario’s communities today, while building a stronger, more resilient future.”
Since 2023, Ontario has provided close to $10 million to help municipalities purchase specialized equipment, deliver critical training programs, collaborate across municipal borders and enhance emergency response capacity to keep communities safe from oil and gas related emergencies.
“This important investment reflects Ontario’s commitment to protect families and communities across Ontario,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response. “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.”
In addition to Lambton County, eight other southwest municipalities are receiving funding, including the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Norfolk County, Oxford County, Elgin County, Essex County, Brant County, Haldimand County and the Regional Municipality of Niagara.
“I’m pleased to see Ontario investing in the safety and security of our communities. This funding will help enhance emergency preparedness in Lambton County and ensure our first responders have the tools and training they need to respond quickly to any risks from legacy oil and gas wells. As Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response, I am proud to support these initiatives that protect families and build a safer, more resilient community,” said Steve Pinsonneault, MPP for Lambton–Kent–Middlesex.
Ontario will continue to work closely with municipal partners to ensure the proper tools, training and resources are in place to keep people and communities safe.
-30-
QUICK FACTS
- Ontario’s petroleum industry began in 1858 when North America’s first commercial oil well was dug at Oil Springs.
- The province has records for approximately 27,000 oil and gas wells, primarily on private land in southwestern Ontario.
- The Abandoned Works Program provides financial assistance to eligible landowners to support the plugging of oil and gas wells that are a high risk to public safety or the environment. To date, the province has invested $36.4 million to plug 454 wells across Ontario.
- Ontario recently passed the Resource Management and Safety Act, 2025 which includes amendments to the Oil, Gas and Salt Resources Act that will strengthen the government’s ability to protect public safety and the environment by addressing hazardous oil and gas wells in cases of operator non-compliance.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
CONTACT