As the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to batter the coffers of cities across Ontario, more money is flowing from upper levels of government to help keep them afloat.
More funding from the Safe Restart Agreement was announced by the provincial government on Wednesday. The agreement, a joint program involving the Ontario and federal governments, aims to help municipalities avoid operating deficits as their revenues shrink during the pandemic.
The latest round of funding will see just under $4.4-million dollars coming to London.
“This funding will provide our community with the support it needs to continue delivering critical services that we all rely on everyday,” said Elgin Middlesx London MPP Jeff Yurek. “Today’s announcement will help our municipalities develop 2021 budgets that reflect the reality of COVID-19 and give them the confidence they need to proceed with capital projects that will drive economic growth.”
For London, the money is welcome news, according to Mayor Ed Holder.
"What we're trying to do is ensure that we enter into 2021 without any operating deficit hangover, but that doesn't mean that we won't have our challenges in 2021. We're predicting that they will be significant and we will be looking to the province and federal government once again, as they have stood tall so far to help us get through to this point."
Holder said London's 2020 books are in reasonably good shape after council drew on reserves to offset the drop in revenues. But he added it's no secret the city will have its financial struggles in the new year.
"It tucks us into 2021 reasonably well, but we are still anticipating at this stage that our deficit scenario, knowing we can't run a (operating) deficit, is close to $20-million and that's not lost on us and that's all COVID related."
Other municipalities in the area also received word of additional funding on Wednesday. The totals are listed below.
· Town of Aylmer- $37,000
· Municipality of Bayham- $33,000
· Municipality of Central Elgin- $69,000
· Municipality of Dutton Dunwich- $22,000
· County of Elgin- $256,000
· City of London- $4,398,000
· Township of Malahide- $43,000
· County of Middlesex- $357,000
· Township of Southwold- $22,000
· City of St. Thomas- $429,000
· Municipality of Thames Centre- $63,000
· Municipality of West Elgin- $36,000
