Ontario’s historic agreement delivering up to $4 billion to support municipalities and transit

At a July 27 conference, the Ontario government announced that in partnership with the federal government, it is providing up to $4 billion in urgently needed one-time assistance to Ontario’s 444 municipalities, which will help local governments maintain critical services.

Additional details on specific allocations will be provided in the coming weeks. This funding is part of the province’s made-in-Ontario plan for renewal, growth and economic recovery.

Today’s (July 27) announcement was made by Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance, Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation.

“By working together, we have united the country in the face of the immense challenges brought on by COVID-19 and secured a historic deal with the federal government to ensure a strong recovery for Ontario and for Canada,” said Premier Ford.

“I want to thank Ontario’s 444 local leaders who supported us through our negotiations with the federal government and through each stage of reopening. We will continue to be a champion for our municipal partners as they safely reopen their communities and ensure people can get back to work.”

Working collaboratively with municipal partners, Premier Ford along with fellow Premiers, Prime Minister Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Freeland, reached this historic agreement, which includes $777 million from the federal government and $1.22 billion from the province in support for municipalities.

The province of Ontario will continue to work closely with its municipal partners to ensure this funding provides the support they need to address budget shortfalls related to COVID-19.

“Ontario’s municipalities are the backbone of our great province,” said Minister Clark.

“Our government is committed to working hand in hand with our municipal partners to help them emerge stronger and enable them to lead economic recovery in every community. And the funding we are announcing today will play a critical role in that.”

Minister Phillips added, “Ontario municipalities told us they are dealing with a $4 billion shortfall as a result of COVID-19.”

“Failing to act could result in cuts to services and higher taxes. That’s why, under Premier Ford’s leadership, Ontario was a strong advocate at the negotiating table to ensure municipalities and transit systems were supported as part of the Safe Restart Agreement. This is a historic level of support that’s being provided during unprecedented times,” he said.

A deal for public transit funding was also secured as part of the federal-provincial agreement, through Ontario’s leadership and up to $2 billion will be shared equally between Ontario and the federal government.

Transit operators that have seen steep declines in revenues will receive the support they require to help with the financial impacts of COVID-19 as well as continue their operations in a safe way.

“Transit operators across Ontario have done an incredible job ensuring that people who need to get around, including our frontline workers, have safe and reliable transit service during the outbreak,” said Minister Mulroney.

“This funding will help ensure transit services continue to be there so people can get where they need to go as our province reopens and people return to work.”

The Safe Restart Agreement will help ensure a strong and safe recovery for the province of Ontario through investments in testing, contact tracing and data management, health care capacity and mental health, protecting vulnerable populations, including people experiencing homelessness and seniors in long-term care facilities, securing personal protective equipment (PPE), child care for returning workers and support for municipalities and public transit systems.