Staff
Ontario’s government is working to improve local service delivery and efficiency in the province’s municipalities. Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark announced last week a one-time investment for many of Ontario’s small and rural municipalities.
Municipalities in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound will receive almost $8.3 million, with amounts ranging from $725,000 to $580,295, to improve service delivery by finding smarter, more efficient ways to spend money that help those who need it most while respecting taxpayer dollars. This money 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. This funding will help small and rural municipalities improve how they deliver services and reduce the ongoing costs of providing those services,” said Clark. “I look forward to continuing to work together with our municipal partners to help people and businesses in communities across our province thrive.”
This is part of the government’s efforts to restore transparency and accountability in Ontario’s finances. The province undertook a line-by-line review of its own expenditures, and expects 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.
“I’m very happy municipalities in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound are receiving this funding. This investment is unconditional, the government is providing this money to support municipalities to allow them to find smarter ways to deliver services that support their local needs and respect taxpayer dollars,” said Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker.
The funding supports Ontario’s commitment to reduce the cost of government.
In total, 405 small and rural municipalities across the province will receive funding, including:
Bruce County – $725,000
South Bruce Peninsula – $631,428
Arran-Elderslie – $580,295
Northern Bruce Peninsula – $631,428
Grey County – $725,000
Owen Sound – $634,340
Hanover – $604,923
Meaford – $642,347
Chatsworth – $591,846
Southgate – $591,606
Georgian Bluffs – $642,347
Grey Highlands – $642,347
West Grey – $642,347
