$1.8 million investment will keep communities safe by bringing on more firefighters and ensuring the district is protected by well-equipped, reliable fire and emergency services

CARLING — The provincial government is investing more than $1.8 million to help build a new fire hall and training centre to better serve residents in Carling and in the surrounding communities. As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario, this investment will help keep communities in the District of Parry Sound safe with well-equipped and reliable fire and emergency services.

“Keeping our communities safe remains a top priority for our government,” said Graydon Smith, MPP for Parry Sound-Muskoka. “This new fire hall in Carling will strengthen the municipal fire department to protect permanent and seasonal residents, as well as the many visitors to the area. It also enhances fire response support across the West Parry Sound region. My sincere thanks to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation for investing in this critical infrastructure.”

The Township of Carling is receiving funding through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to replace its current fire station, which is over 40 years old. The new building will be double the size and have large storage spaces for equipment, offices, a workshop and a modern training facility for emergency responders across the region. The fire department will get new equipment, including an exhaust removal system, a hose drying rack and a communication tower, all of which will support more efficient emergency response. Furthermore, the funding will help maintain and grow the station’s current workforce, creating eight new volunteer firefighter positions.

“Communities like Carling Township are growing and the provincial government is making critical investments so our services and infrastructure can keep up,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “For the people of Ontario to thrive, they first need to feel safe. This funding will strengthen emergency services by ensuring firefighters have the space and tools they need to train and protect locals, tourists and businesses.”

Announced in June 2025, the Ontario government is refocusing the NOHFC to prioritize investments that protect northern industries and jobs, mitigate the impacts of U.S. tariffs and trade disruptions and secure new opportunities for the long-term prosperity of Northern Ontario. The renewed focus is driving prosperity, boosting competitiveness, securing new opportunities and ensuring the North remains a leader in Ontario’s economy. This new direction is in addition to the province’s recently announced investment of an additional $30 million over the next three years, bringing the NOHFC’s annual budget to a total of $110 million. Together, these initiatives will benefit communities of all sizes, both rural and urban, including Indigenous communities.

Quick Facts

• Through its funding programs, the NOHFC offers support to public and private sector economic development projects across Northern Ontario.
• Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $905 million in 7,309 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $2.8 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 11,210 jobs.

Additional Resources

• The NOHFC, Northern Development Offices and Small Business Enterprise Centres support northern communities, businesses and other stakeholders in identifying economic development opportunities and government funding programs.

Quotes

“Council is excited about the construction of a new fire hall in Carling Township. Our department is committed to providing essential services to our community and beyond. The existing hall, built in the early 1980s by volunteer labour, has served us well but has reached end of life. Dedicated, caring firefighters have been operating under challenging conditions for quite some time. NOHFC funding is critical to moving forward. Council appreciates this provincial funding and the support shown by Graydon Smith, MPP.” – Susan Murphy, Mayor, Township of Carling

“Being a small, rural fire department which supplies protective services to a diverse population, including residential, commercial and industrial residents, we face many challenges in this time of escalating costs and increased demands on our firefighters. Our mission statement is ‘Dedication to Service, Protection and Safety’ and the investment of the NOHFC in our new and upgraded fire station ensures that we can fulfill all aspects of that statement by the provision of first-rate facilities that will serve us now and in the future. The NOHFC is an integral and essential partner in this project.” – Gord Harrison, Fire Chief, Township of Carling Fire Department