Ontario provides early notice and much-needed stability to municipalities for 2022

KAILIE OORTWYN, Office of Laurie Scott, MPP, Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock

KAWARTHA LAKES: The Ontario government is announcing 2022 funding allocations under the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF), the Province’s main general assistance grant to municipalities.

Municipalities in Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock will receive $16,047,900 in funding allocations to provide them with the flexibility to address the needs of their communities based on their own local priorities.

“This is great news for our local municipalities,” said Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. “Our government recognizes the importance of stable and adaptable OMPF program funding to communities across the province.”

Ontario has been consulting with municipalities on their priorities for the OMPF. Throughout these discussions, municipal partners have stressed the importance of stability and predictability, particularly during these uncertain times. Ontario is responding by maintaining both the structure of the OMPF and the program envelope at $500 million for 2022, as committed at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s annual conference in August 2021.

“Predictable and timely financial support from the Province is essential for budget planning in small and rural municipalities,” said AMO President Graydon Smith. “The early rollout of stable 2022 Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund allocations sets the stage for effective budget planning for the year ahead.”