Financial help is arriving for Windsor-Essex municipalities as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is still being felt.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced the first phase of funding for Ontario's 444 municipalities, as they struggle to keep the books balanced in the wake of the pandemic. A total of $4 billion has been secured through the Safe Restart Agreement with the federal government.
According to the province, this funding will be allocated on a per household basis. The money will be shared 50-50 between upper and lower-tier municipalities. The payout for the first phase will be made this fall.
"This funding is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when all levels of government work together," said Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP Rick Nicholls in a media release. "In partnership with the federal government, we are able to provide much-needed funding to increase safety measures and protect our local communities in the face of COVID-19."
The first phase, announced Wednesday afternoon, is a total of $1.36 billion.
The City of Windsor, Essex County, and eight communities in the region are getting over $27.4 million.
Windsor alone will receive $18,372,426 of that money. Just over $12-million is earmarked for municipal expenses, and the rest will support transit.
Essex County will get $4,469,100 of municipal funding for county operations.
The remaining communities in the region have been allocated funds as follows:
- Amherstburg - $568,400
- Town of Essex - $543,800
- Kingsville - $542,800
- Lakeshore - $888,300
- LaSalle - $695,000, plus $39,132 for transit
- Leamington - $676,600, plus $36,956 for transit
- Pelee Township - $51,000
- Tecumseh - $554,100, plus $33,894
Ontario is also providing an additional $212 million through the Social Services Relief Fund to help vulnerable people find shelter.