Financial relief will help ensure the delivery of critical services and keep capital projects on track
NEWS March 5, 2021
BRANTFORD — The Ontario Government is providing $1,264,892.00 to the City of Brantford and $434,382.00 to the County of Brant of new provincial funding to help address ongoing COVID-19-related operating costs. The new financial relief will help ensure the delivery of critical services during the pandemic and keep capital projects on track.
“The Municipal Governments of The County of Brant and the City of Brantford have been outstanding in leading the communities through the COVID-19 pandemic”, said Brantford-Brant MPP Will Bouma. “I am pleased that Ontario is providing this additional funding to help each municipality mitigate the financial costs of the pandemic and help the local taxpayer”.
Yesterday’s announcement is part of the province’s $500 million investment to help ensure the stability of Ontario’s 444 municipalities as they plan for the year ahead. The funding is being prioritized to help municipalities hardest hit by the pandemic and can be used for things like personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies and by-law enforcement.
“We are grateful for the Province of Ontario’s continued support throughout the pandemic” said Brant County Mayor David Bailey. “Although financially stable, the County has experienced a loss of revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for many households and businesses to pay their bills in full and on time. As well, due to the ongoing pandemic, we are experiencing higher costs in Paramedic and Bylaw Enforcement services, to name a few. The funding will help to augment operational revenues and support the County’s continued actions to work with residents and businesses experiencing financial strain. Any and all support that can be passed onto residents and businesses is a gift.”
“On behalf of the City of Brantford I want to thank the province for recognizing the critical role that municipalities play in providing ongoing essential services that our residents depend on each and every day during what continues to be a very challenging time”, said Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis. “We are grateful for the additional funding support announced today to help offset the City’s lost revenue and increased expenses as a result of the ongoing pandemic. This much needed support will also go towards helping ensure that critical infrastructure projects that cannot be delayed can move forward as planned.”
“Our government continues to adapt and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic as it evolves, and we know our municipal partners are on the front lines of this effort – providing the critical services people depend on every day,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Our municipalities have been clear that they need ongoing operating funding in 2021, and it is important that we step up and provide that support so our municipal partners can continue to deliver the services Ontarians rely on each and every day.”
This provincial investment builds on the $1.39 billion in operating funding that was provided to municipal partners through the joint federal-provincial Safe Restart Agreement. The second phase of the Safe Restart Agreement was allocated to all Ontario municipalities in December, to ensure that no community entered 2021 facing an operating deficit from 2020.
“Municipalities are important partners in the fight against COVID-19,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance and President of the Treasury Board. “We know the global pandemic has created significant financial challenges for communities across the province. That’s why we have been there with support from the very beginning. I encourage our federal partners to step forward with additional investments as all three governments work together to protect people’s health and jobs.”
QUICK FACTS
- The government will provide its next update on Ontario’s finances and the government’s plan to continue the fight against COVID-19 in the 2021 Budget, to be delivered no later than March 31, 2021. The 2021 Budget will build on the $45 billion in support set out in Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover to continue protecting people’s health and supporting Ontario’s economy through COVID-19 and beyond.
- Ontario is also supporting municipalities in finding budget savings and efficiencies through the Audit and Accountability Fund and Municipal Modernization Program.
- See how your organization can help fight COVID-19
For more information, contact MPP Will Bouma at 519-759-0361 or will.bouma@pc.ola.org