Canada/Next budget to boost support for rural municipalities

The Ontario Ministry of Finance announced Friday that the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund will be replenished, reaching $500 million by 2024, opening the door for smaller municipalities to tap into it.

To qualify for the funds, municipalities must be small and rural, or in the northern part of the province.

In all, the province expects 390 municipalities to part with the funds, which are described as unconditional, according to a Ministry of Finance press release issued on Friday.

These funds are used to replenish the coffers of municipalities, which use them to fill various budget items when drawing up their budgets.

The Ministry indicated in the press release that the funds are intended to support local priorities and meet the specific needs of each community.

These funds are allocated according to a formula that takes into account the number of households and people in the municipalities.

These funds must be used within the municipality's operating budget.

The City of North Bay indicated in a press release that it was delighted with the announcement made before the end of the year, and that the funds to be disbursed to develop the next budget are slightly higher than in the last fiscal year.

The City of Greater Sudbury reports that approximately $21 million will be provided through the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund, an increase of approximately $600,000.

Source: ici.radio-canada.ca