Ontario municipalities that have been begging for help during the pandemic from upper levels of government are going to get some.
Premier Doug Ford announced Monday afternoon that the provincial government, as part of an agreement with the federal government, will offer $4-billion in one-time assistance for Ontario's 444 municipalities. The funding, under the Safe Restart Agreement, will help support critical municipal services as well as public transit.
Ford worked not only with municipal partners but also with other premiers, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. The deal includes $777 million from the federal government and $1.22 billion from the province in support of municipalities that are struggling to close budget gaps made more extensive by the COVID-19 pandemic.
For public transit agencies that have been struggling with declining ridership and revenues, up to $2-billion will be provided by the Ontario and federal governments.
"I want to thank all 444 mayors across Ontario for their incredible support in getting this deal done," said Ford. "Ontario was in the strongest position possible during these negotiations."
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark pointed out that this agreement enhances the aid municipalities are already receiving.
"We've been working in partnership will all municipalities all along, to ensure that they had the tools they needed to respond throughout the emergency and to get back on the road to recovery, and they've done a great job in keeping people safe and charting a path forward to a stronger, brighter future for their residents," said Clark,
The minister added that social service programs had received $350-million in support over the past four months.
The Safe Restart Agreement also provides for investment in COVID-19 testing and contact tracing and mental health initiatives. It also supports child care for parents who are returning to the workforce after a pandemic-related layoff, and secures personal protective equipment (PPEs) for health care workers.
