The province's energy needs are quickly rising, with the proliferation of electric vehicles and increasing manufacturing demand for electricity on the horizon just as a large nuclear plant that supplies 14 per cent of Ontario's electricity is set to be retired and other units are being refurbished. 

Experts say infrastructure and network upgrades are necessary given the state of the Air Force’s current facilities and the advanced nature of the F-35 compared to the CF-18s.

The agency says the number of job vacancies fell by 44,300 to 871,300 in October.

Council expects the project to cost $49,948,500, which the town will pay for through operating revenue, development charges as well as steady payments through its legacy fund.

A Pomerleau-led consortium will work with IO and WAHA under a development phase agreement to refine project requirements to advance the design of the facility and confirm pricing.