The 15,000-square-foot centre will feature indoor and outdoor education spaces, classroom and event space, a laboratory, bee breeding facilities and pollinator gardens.

The funding will help train 100 journeypersons and apprentices in Sarnia and southwestern Ontario.

Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark said the new powers for the large and fast-growing municipalities will ensure they can deliver on provincially assigned housing commitments.

Ontario has used its powers to push through the redevelopment of three long-term care homes run by a company accused of serious mismanagement during the pandemic.

Investment crossed the $20-billion mark in April, as growth in the non-residential sector offset a slight contraction in housing.