Kenora, ON – “I am proud to see our government support small and rural municipalities across Northwestern Ontario,” said Greg Rickford, MPP, Kenora-Rainy River. “We face unique barriers to service delivery up in the north, and I believe this investment will give our communities boost as we plan for the future and improve municipal services.”
Ontario’s government is working for the people to improve local service delivery and efficiency in the province’s municipalities. On March 20, 2019, Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing announced the funding for municipalities. Over $6 million dollars is dedicated to municipalities in Kenora-Rainy River.
This is a one-time investment for small and rural municipalities, that will go towards improving service delivery by finding smarter, more efficient ways to spend money that help those who need it most while respecting taxpayer dollars.
Municipalities across the Kenora-Rainy River region will receive funding, including:
- Kenora to receive $725,000
- Ignace to receive $303,800
- Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls to receive $410,800
- Dryden to receive $682,730
- Machin to receive $284,600
- Fort Frances to receive $689,030
- Alberton to receive $224,600
- La Vallee Township to receive $229,400
- Morley Township to receive $201,400
- Emo Township to receive $265,000
- Chapple Township to receive $224,000
- Lake of the Woods Township to receive 284,400
- Dawson Township to receive $211,600
- Rainy-River to receive $241,600
As well, municipalities in the neighbouring riding of Kiiwetinoong will receive funding, including:
- Sioux Lookout to receive $645,200
- Red Lake to receive $591,200
- Ear Falls township to receive $261,800
- Pickle Lake Township to receive $208,400
This will support some of Ontario’s small and rural municipalities that may have limited capacity to plan, modernize and improve the way they provide services to their communities.
“Taxpayers need their local government to deliver modern, efficient services that show respect for their hard-earned dollars,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “This funding will help small and rural municipalities improve how they deliver services and reduce the ongoing costs of providing those services.”
Ontario’s government for the people was elected to restore transparency and accountability in Ontario’s finances. The province undertook a line-by-line review of its own expenditures, and we have been clear that we expect our partners, including municipalities, to be taking steps to become more efficient. Examples could include service delivery reviews, development of shared services agreements, IT solutions, capital investments or other projects. Municipalities will decide how to best target funding to benefit their local communities.
The funding supports Ontario’s commitment to reduce the cost of government.
QUICK FACTS
- 405 small and rural municipalities will receive funding.
- To ensure investments are targeted to where they are needed most, funding will be allocated based on the number of households in a municipality and whether the municipality is urban or rural.
