Assistance will help ensure the delivery of critical public services during COVID-19
NEWS August 12, 2020
BRANTFORD — The Ontario government, in partnership with the federal government, is delivering on its commitment to provide urgently needed emergency assistance to Ontario’s 444 municipalities. Communities in Brantford-Brant will receive funding to address municipal operating pressures related to the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the first round of emergency funding under the Safe Restart Agreement.
Ontario secured up to $4 billion in emergency assistance for municipalities through the Safe Restart Agreement, which gives them the support and flexibility they need to protect the health and well-being of their communities, while continuing to deliver critical public services as the province continues on the path of renewal, growth and economic recovery.
Municipalities receiving funding include:
- City of Brantford, $5,043,300 for COVID-19 related pressures and an additional $1,299,181 to support transit operations for a total of $6,342,481
- County of Brant, $1,732,000.00 for COVID-19 related pressures and an additional $19,748.00 to support transit operations for a total of $1,751,748.00
“We want to ensure that municipalities have the support they need to protect the health and well-being of the people of Brantford and Brant, while delivering the critical services needed as we gradually and safely restart our economy” said Brantford-Brant MPP Will Bouma.
In September, Ontario’s 444 municipalities will receive $695 million in Phase 1 funding for municipal operating pressures. This funding will be allocated on a per household basis and would be shared 50/50 between upper- and lower-tier municipalities. Up to $695 million in additional funding will be available through Phase 2 for municipalities that have COVID-related financial impacts that exceed the initial per household allocation provided under Phase 1.
“This is a welcome and important step to assist in the re-building of our local economic vibrancy and strength,” said Brantford-Brant MP Phil McColeman.
The government is committed to working in partnership with municipalities to ensure they can emerge stronger than ever and help lead Ontario’s economic recovery.
QUICK FACTS
- The federal Safe Restart Agreement provides $19 billion to Canadian provinces and territories to help ensure a strong recovery and support frontline health care, families, and communities. Across all streams of federal investment, the Safe Restart Agreement provides over $7 billion in funding and in-kind supports to Ontario.
- The agreement provides up to a total of $4 billion in funding to the province’s 444 municipalities.
- The province is making a contribution of 50 per cent to the municipal supports and transit funding available through the Safe Restart Agreement, with the federal government contributing the other 50 per cent.
- Ontario is also providing municipal service managers and Indigenous housing partners an additional $212 million under the Social Services Relief Fund to help protect vulnerable people from COVID-19. This investment can help them protect homeless shelter staff and residents, expand rent support programming and create longer-term housing solutions. This brings the government’s total Social Services Relief Fund investment provided to service managers and Indigenous program administrators to $510 million, and builds on our COVID-19 Action Plan to Protect Vulnerable Ontarians.
- Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ontario government has worked with municipalities to provide them with the tools and supports they need, including enabling them to hold virtual council and local board meetings, and temporarily extending expiring development charge bylaws to ensure they could continue to collect this vital source of revenue.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Joint Communiqué ― Safe Restart Agreement
- Learn more about A Framework for Reopening our Province
- Provide your input on the economic impacts of COVID-19
- See how your organization can help fight COVID-19
- Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect the people of Ontario from COVID-19
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For more information, contact MPP Will Bouma at 519-759-0361 or will.bouma@pc.ola.org