Ontario Premier Doug Ford delivered the keynote address Monday morning to delegates at the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference.
He delivered it virtually online the same way his audience attended, as delegates representing the province's 444 municipalities, including the City of Elliot Lake delegation led by Mayor Dan Marchisella.
Normally the AMO's annual conference is held at one of Toronto's major hotels and delegates flock there from all over Ontario to listen to speeches and attend workshops, while vying for coveted appointments with cabinet ministers who play key roles in the decisions about how billions of dollars are spent on municipalities all over Ontario.
This year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the decision was made to transfer everything online.
In his speech, the premier told delegates that as COVID-19 protocols remain in place, people want and need to get back to work.
"People are ready to get back to work, ready to rebuild what we have lost,” Ford said.
"Everywhere I go, I meet with mayors and municipal officials. I hear firsthand the challenges and the successes. You are leading the charge. As the level of government closest to the people, you've been on the front lines each step of the way.
"But as Premier, I can't stop and I won't stop until we get every community back on its feet. That's why we negotiated with our federal partners to deliver over $7 billion for Ontario. This is money for health care, for transit, for childcare, and for testing and contact tracing.
"Up to $4 billion will support the frontline services delivered by you, our municipal partners. Up to $4 billion will support shelters, food banks, public health, child care, and transit.
"We are delivering $1.6 billion as part of this first round to help you address immediate needs.We will continue to consult with you to see how the next round can respond to the most urgent needs in our communities.
"I have to thank all 444 municipal leaders across Ontario for their incredible support in getting this deal done."
The Safe Restart Agreement with the federal government in partnership resulted in about $872,000 coming Elliot Lake's way last week in the form of a grant. The premier said it builds on the investments already made through Ontario's Action Plan.
"Our government is delivering up to $30 billion to support our frontline health care system, to provide relief to families and businesses, and to ensure municipalities can respond to urgent priorities," said Ford.
"That includes $510 million through the Social Services Relief Fund, $15 million to enhance transit cleaning, and $14 million for community-based mental health and addictions services."
At the same time, he said next year his government is maintaining the $500-million envelope and structure of the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund. The funding will help municipalities support local priorities.
In conclusion Premier Ford told the AMO delegates, "We won't stop until every community is back on their feet. And we're well on our way."
Elliot Lake Mayor Dan Marchisella told ElliotLakeToday there were things he liked in the premier's remarks.
“He (Premier Ford) reiterated some of the funding that's included in the Provincial Budget,” Marchisella said. “Job growth has us running at 90 per cent pre-COVID. He also said the Municipal Partnership Fund would remain the same for another year.”