TORONTO: The Ontario government, in partnership with the federal government, is delivering on its commitment to provide up to $4 billion in urgently needed one-time assistance to Ontario’s 444 municipalities.
Municipalities will be provided with up to $1.6 billion as part of the first round of emergency funding under the Safe Restart Agreement.
This funding will help municipalities deliver critical public services, such as public transit and shelters.
Through the Safe Restart Agreement with the federal government, $695 million will help
municipalities address operating pressures related to the COVID-19 pandemic through the first round of emergency funding, and over $660 million will support transit systems.
The province is also providing an additional $212 million through the Social Services Relief Fund to help vulnerable people find shelter.
The details were provided by Premier Doug Ford, Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance, Kinga Surma, Associate Minister of Transportation (GTA), and Jim McDonell, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
Premier Ford said: “This first round of funding will address the most urgent needs of our communities, ensuring critical services like transit and shelters are there when people need them most.”
“Municipalities are on the front lines of a safe restart to our economy. That’s why we’re working with Ontario, and all the provinces and territories, to ensure communities have the support they need to help Canadians through the next phase of this crisis,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“Here in Ontario, this funding will allow municipalities to offer critical public services.”