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Leeds and Grenville municipalities to receive more than $6 million to address operating pressures from COVID-19

Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark has announced local municipalities will receive more than $6-million combined to address operating pressures from COVID-19.

Clark says the financial relief is a partnership with the federal government and is part of the first round of emergency funding under the Safe Restart Agreement. He says it delivers on Ontario’s commitment to provide urgently needed emergency assistance to the province’s 444 municipalities.

“Local municipalities have demonstrated outstanding leadership in helping to keep our residents and communities safe throughout these unprecedented times. But rising to this challenge has brought with it immense financial pressures. I commend Premier Ford for his determination in negotiating a strong agreement with the federal government. This ensures we can support our municipal partners, build stronger communities and protect local taxpayers as Ontario continues on the road to renewal and economic recovery.”

The municipalities will receive the following:

  • Town of Prescott: $266,900
  • Municipality of North Grenville: $434,600
  • Athens Township: $86,900
  • Augusta Township: $189,800
  • City of Brockville: $1,313,900
  • Township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal: $192,800
  • Elizabethtown-Kitley Township: $248,000
  • Front of Yonge Township: $76,100
  • Town of Gananoque: $308,100
  • Leeds and the Thousand Islands: $361,300
  • Merrickville-Wolford: $85,300
  • Rideau Lakes Township: $466,400
  • Village of Westport: $23,700
  • United Counties of Leeds & Grenville: $2,164,800

According to a media release from Clark, our province secured up to $4-billion in emergency assistance for municipalities through the Safe Restart Agreement. That gives support and flexibility needed to protect the health and well-being of residents and continue to deliver critical public services.

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Next month, Ontario’s 444 municipalities will receive $695-million in Phase 1 funding for municipal operating pressures. This funding will be allocated on a per-household basis and would be shared 50/50 between upper- and lower-tier municipalities, according to Clark. Up to $695-million in additional funding will be available through Phase 2 for municipalities that have financial impacts from COVID-19 that exceed the initial per household allocation provided under Phase 1.

The government is also providing over $660-million in the first phase of transit funding to the 110 municipalities with transit systems which includes $102,647 for the City of Brockville and $13,320 for the Municipality of North Grenville.

Clark says the funding can be used to provide immediate relief from transit pressures, like lower ridership, as well as for new costs due to the pandemic, like enhanced cleaning and masks for staff. Additional allocations will be provided in the second phase based on expenses incurred to make sure the funding meets the needs of municipalities. Up to $2-billion is being provided to support public transit in Ontario as part of the Safe Restart Agreement.

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