Today, the Province of Ontario announced Phase 1 of funding as part of the Safe Restart Agreement between the Federal government and the Provinces and Territories.

Mississauga Allocations for Phase 1 $46.083M

• Mississauga – Phase 1 Funding – $14.997M to help municipalities respond to local priorities
• Mississauga – Phase 1 Transit Funding – $31.086M to keep the transit system running

“This is great news for our City, and I want to thank Premier Ford for being a champion for cities and for coming to the table to advocate for our needs,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “I also want to thank Prime Minister Trudeau and the Federal government for their unprecedented financial commitment. This funding will help Mississauga address the approximately $60 million deficit we face in 2020 and recognizes that a strong economic recovery requires healthy cities. COVID-19 will bring additional financial pressures to future years, and we look forward to working with the province to determine how Phase 2 funding can best support large, urban cities like Mississauga.”

The City of Mississauga is receiving a total $46.083 million in Fall 2020 as part of the Ontario Economic Response in the first round of funding through the Safe Restart Agreement.

“As a large Ontario municipality we have been advocating for funding to do the work that is needed to carry out our recovery plans and be able to deliver the key services our residents rely on,” said Paul Mitcham, City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer.  “We will still face challenges as we implement our recovery, but this funding will help us continue to provide the essential services our residents and businesses need.”

The government is providing the City of Mississauga over $14 million to help respond to local priorities and $31 million in the first phase of transit funding.  The transit funding will be provided through a base amount and an additional allocation based on transit ridership. The funding can be used to provide immediate relief from transit pressures, such as lower ridership, as well as for new costs due to COVID-19, such as enhanced cleaning and masks for staff. In the second phase, additional allocations will be provided based on expenses incurred to ensure the funding meets the needs of municipalities.

“This is welcome news as we continue to work on our 2021 Budget to manage the deficit from the pandemic while providing services and programs,” said Gary Kent, Commissioner of Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer. “Staff will continue to innovate with Council and with the public being fully engaged. We look forward to reaching out to the public on our budget in the Fall to give Council the input and information they need.”

Background

The Premier will be consulting with municipal partners at Association of Municipalities of Ontario AMO conference next week.In Fall 2020, Ontario’s 444 municipalities will receive $695 million in Phase 1 funding to help address municipal operating pressures related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding will be allocated on a per household basis and would be shared 50/50 between upper- and lower-tier municipalities. Up to $695 million in additional funding will be available through Phase 2 to eligible municipalities after municipalities have provided the province with information on their estimated COVID-19 related financial pressures.