Funding will help ensure local government avoids operating deficits in 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Dec. 16, 2020
SIMCOE — Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett announced that Haldimand and Norfolk will receive an additional $1.2 million, combined, in Safe Restart Agreement funding.
The discretionary funding will be used to offset operating costs for critical services and help ensure that the counties don’t carry an operating deficit into 2021. The funding breakdown is $507,000 for Haldimand and $734,000 for Norfolk.
“This funding will provide our community with the support it needs to continue delivering critical services that we all rely on everyday,” Barrett said. “Today’s announcement will help develop a 2021 budget that reflects the reality of COVID-19 and give them the confidence they need to proceed with capital projects that will drive economic growth.”
The Ontario government is allocating an additional $695 million across the province to provide financial relief for municipalities and help ensure they do not carry operating deficits into 2021.This investment builds upon the first phase of the federal-provincial Safe Restart Agreement announced this summer.
“This joint funding will help Ontario’s municipalities recover from the impacts of COVID-19 faster, by helping them to enter into 2021 without operating deficits from this year,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “By ensuring our municipal partners are in a sound financial position to begin the new year, they can better focus on keeping their capital projects on track while continuing to provide the critical services their residents rely on.”
Of the $695 million announced today, $299 million is being allocated across all 444 municipalities to help provide more financial relief, as 2021 operating budgets are finalized. An additional $396 million is also being allocated to 48 municipalities that have been hardest hit by COVID-19 and who have demonstrated a need for additional assistance in covering their 2020 operating deficits.
QUICK FACTS
- $4 billion in emergency funding for Ontario’s municipalities to help them on the road to a safe recovery.
- initial investment of $1.6 billion was provided so every Ontario municipality could address their operating pressures, support transit systems and help vulnerable people.
- Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover. This includes critical investments in health and other initiatives, to ensure Ontario is more resilient in the future.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Allocations for municipalities under phase two of the federal-provincial Safe Restart
- 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 Toby Barrett at 519-428-0446 or toby.barrett@pc.ola.org