The Provincial Forest Access Roads Funding Program

Investing in Access, Safety, and Sustainability Across Ontario’s Crown Lands

The Provincial Forest Access Roads Funding Program (PFARFP), administered by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), is a key initiative designed to enhance Ontario’s rural infrastructure and support multi-resource access to Crown land.

This program plays a critical role in maintaining the backbone of Ontario’s natural resource economy, providing funding for the construction and maintenance of forest access roads that serve forestry operations, mining projects, tourism development, and local communities.

Program Overview

The PFARFP provides financial support for building and maintaining access roads on Crown forests that serve a variety of stakeholders, including:

• The Forest Industry: improving transportation efficiency and forest management.

• Mining and Exploration Companies: enabling access to remote resource areas.

• Tourism Operators: expanding access for outdoor recreation and adventure tourism.

• Indigenous Communities and the General Public: strengthening accessibility and emergency response capacity.

By enhancing connectivity and improving infrastructure in Ontario’s remote regions, the PFARFP contributes directly to the province’s goals for sustainable resource development and rural economic growth.

Funding Details

The program offers substantial cost coverage for eligible projects:

• 100% funding for primary road costs

• 50% funding for branch road costs

Primary roads serve as the main access routes across Crown forests, while branch roads provide specific site access for operations and localized resource management. Together, they form the critical infrastructure network that supports Ontario’s multi-use forest landscape.

Eligible Activities

Projects eligible for funding include:

• Construction of new forest access roads on Crown land

• Maintenance or upgrades to existing access routes

• Infrastructure supporting safe and efficient transport for forestry, mining, and tourism activities

These activities enhance accessibility while ensuring that forest management remains both efficient and environmentally responsible.

Program Purpose

The Provincial Forest Access Roads Funding Program is built around three key objectives:

1. Accessibility – Opening and maintaining vital routes to remote resource areas.

2. Emergency Preparedness – Strengthening Ontario’s ability to respond quickly to natural disasters, wildfires, or other emergencies.

3. Innovation and Sustainability – Supporting responsible forest management and advancing research in infrastructure planning.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include organizations operating within sectors such as:

• Forestry

• Mining, Quarrying, Oil and Gas Extraction

• Tourism and Hospitality

• Construction and Local Government

• Indigenous Governing Bodies

The program is currently open and accepting applications from qualified organizations across Ontario.

How GrantMatch Can Help

At GrantMatch, we specialize in connecting organizations with government funding programs like the PFARFP. Our team of experts can help determine your eligibility, prepare compelling applications, and ensure your project aligns with the program’s priorities.

If your organization is developing or maintaining infrastructure on Crown land, this program represents a significant opportunity to reduce project costs and expand your operational capacity.

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