Ontario supports modernization of small and rural communities

Funding helps improve the delivery of critical programs and services while saving taxpayers’ dollars in Haldimand-Norfolk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

July 6, 2021

SIMCOE — The Ontario government is providing up to $190,450 to help improve the delivery of critical programs and services in Haldimand-Norfolk. The funding is being delivered through the Municipal Modernization Program and will support the following project(s):

  • Haldimand County Virtual City Hall
  • Norfolk County Service Delivery Portal Implementation
  • Review of the BUILD Norfolk Program

“The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the need to deliver programming more efficiently so that people can access the services they need, when they need them,” said Toby Barrett, MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk. “These projects will ensure that our community will benefit from innovative and streamlined solutions in a way that will positively impact services and save taxpayers’ dollars.”

Ontario is providing up to $24 million to support the modernization of 224 small and rural municipalities across the province. A total of 254 projects will receive funding under Intake 2 of Ontario’s Municipal Modernization Program.

“Today marks another milestone in our government’s commitment to supporting municipalities as they look for ways to improve service delivery in our communities,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “To put it simply, identifying and implementing modern solutions means money is diverted away from wasteful service delivery and stays in the pockets of local taxpayers.”

“Changing times have required both counties in Haldimand and Norfolk to continue to change their ways of serving the public,” Barrett added. “It’s great to see another round of successful provincial applications to help with continued municipal modernization.” 

Municipalities will use the funding to find efficiencies and implement a wide range of initiatives to digitize, streamline and/or integrate programs and services with neighbouring communities. The funding will also help municipalities administer the cost saving measures in time for the 2022 municipal budget cycle.

Ontario has committed up to $125 million over four years through the Municipal Modernization Program to help small and rural municipalities modernize services. Under Intake 1, the Province invested $11.8 million in 180 modernization projects and identified over $100 million in savings and efficiencies.

QUICK FACTS

  • In March, Ontario announced $10 million through the Audit and Accountability Fund to help large municipalities improve the delivery of critical programs and services during COVID-19.
  • The historic federal-provincial Safe Restart Agreement secured up to $4 billion in emergency funding to support municipalities throughout COVID-19.
  • Ontario is also providing municipalities with almost $1 billion in additional financial relief in 2021 to help preserve vital public services and support economic recovery. This includes $500 million to help municipalities address their ongoing COVID-19 operating costs, $255 million under the Social Services Relief Fund, and $150 million for transit.
  • Ontario continues to call on the federal government to increase its funding for municipalities, which will be critical as they continue to recover from the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.

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For more information, contact MPP Toby Barrett at 519-428-0446 or toby.barrett@pc.ola.org