Blind River is expected to receive $289,200 as part of the Safe Restart Agreement, the Ontario government announced recently. as part of a two-phase package of funding.
The money is part of a $4 billion agreement with the federal and provincial government to assist provincial municipalities coping with lost revenue due to the coronavirus. The amount was confirmed by Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs in a letter to Mayor Sally Hagman.
“Municipalities play a key role in delivering critical services that Ontarians rely on and are at the frontlines of a safe reopening of the economy. This investment will provide support to municipalities and public transit operators to help them address financial pressures related to COVID-19, maintain critical services and protect vulnerable people as the province safely and gradually opens,” Clark said in his letter
The $4 billion is split with $2 billion going to support municipal operating pressures and another $2 billion to support municipal transit systems, Clark indicated.
“This funding will be allocated in two phases: 50 per cent allocated in Phase 1 for all municipalities, and 50 per cent allocated in Phase 2 for municipalities that require additional funding,” the minister stated.
“The Safe Restart Agreement also includes a second phase of Social Services Relief Funding (SSRF) totalling $362 million. This is in addition to significant investments made earlier to the SSRF and in support of public health.”
Phase 1 of the $289,200 funding for Blind River is allocated on a per household basis.
“Please note that your municipality is accountable for using this funding for the purpose of addressing your priority COVID-19 operating costs and pressures,” Minister Carter said. “If the amount of the funding exceeds your municipality’s 2020 COVID-19 operating costs and pressures, the province’s expectation is that your municipality will place the excess funding into reserves to be accessed to support COVID-19 operating costs and pressures that you may continue to incur in 2021.”
Municipal treasurer Sue Dent is preparing a report on the town’s financial situation impacted by COVID-19 and submit a report and acknowledgment of Phase 1 funding to the province in the near future.
“The Town of Blind River is expected to report back to the province on 2020 COVID-19 costs and pressures and the use of this funding,” the Minister said in his letter.
Mayor Hagman said council will discuss the financial COVID-19 impact on the community at its council meeting Sept. 8. She declined any further comment on the amount prior to the council meeting.