The project involves retrofitting two buildings to include a new Central Library, the Art Gallery of Sudbury and the Sudbury Multicultural and Folk Arts Association.

The work in Oshawa is the first of a series of steps that the province plans to take to widen Highway 401 to 10 lanes.

The C. D. Howe Institute expects Canada's deficit to top $92 billion this fiscal year, given plans to meet NATO's defence spending target of two per cent of GDP.

The province is providing the money to the cities as a reward for exceeding 80 percent of their provincially designated housing targets last year.

In addition to the city’s investment, the project will be funded through one-time capital reserves and fundraising efforts.