Pelissier St, downtown Windsor. Blackburn News file photo.Pelissier St, downtown Windsor. Blackburn News file photo.
Windsor

Municipalities to receive $500-million to shore up pandemic losses

Windsor-Essex will receive more than $14.1-million in financial relief from the province to help shore up municipal deficits incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Housing and Municipal Affairs Minister Steve Clark, joined by Finance Minister and President of the Treasury Board, Peter Bethlenfalvy, and Graydon Smith, the president of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, announced $500-million in financial relief for all 444 municipalities in the province.

The money comes from both Queen's Park and Ottawa. Bethlenfalvy told reporters some of it comes from the Safe Restart Agreement with the federal government, and some of it is strictly cash from the province.

Funding is awarded based on the number of COVID-19 cases in each community between January 1, 2021, and February 18, 2021, and Municipal Property Assessment Corporation household data. Cities and towns hit hardest by the pandemic will be prioritized.

"We know our municipal partners are on the front lines of this effort -- providing the critical services people depend on every day," said Clark. Our municipalities have been clear that they need ongoing operating funding in 2021."

Windsor will get the lions' share of money coming to the region, just over $8.1-million, while the County of Essex and seven regional municipalities will receive over $6-million.

Municipalities across the province are suffering budgetary shortfalls as revenues fall and costs increase during the pandemic.

In Windsor, the shortfall is $38-million, and Mayor Drew Dilkens has said without help from senior governments, the city will have to make tough decisions later in the year.

The first installment will arrive on May 1, and the second, on November 1.

However, both Clark and Bethlenfalvy called on Ottawa to step up to the plate and contribute more to ensure municipalities do not incur deficits in 2021.

"We hope that the federal government like they did at the start of the Safe Restart, will come forward with additional monies," said Bethafalvy. "I'm sure that our municipal partners will join us in calling for them to come to the table."

Windsor-Essex received $27.4-million last August as part of the Safe Restart Agreement.

Bethlenfalvy also hinted there might be more financial supports for municipalities at the end of the month when he presents the Ontario budget.

Windsor - $8,136,555

County of Essex - $2,418,777

Amherstburg - $461,468

Essex - $441,468

Kingsville - $440,684

Lakeshore - $721,172

LaSalle - $564,261

Leamington - $549,262

Tecumseh - $449,850

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