Safe Restart Agreement – Phase 2 Funding for Municipal Operating Relief

The Honourable Steve Clark, Minister, Municipal Affairs and Housing, wrote to all Heads of Council late yesterday with instructions for the Phase 2 funding as part of the Safe Restart Agreement. This second phase of funding targets municipal governments that require additional financial support to address extraordinary operating expenditures and/or revenues losses arising from the COVID-19 pandemic for 2020.

Phase 1 funding totaled $695 million and was directly distributed to all municipalities across Ontario. For Phase 2, another $695 million is available to municipalities through an application process. This will require a Council resolution to request the additional assistance and a formal application completed by a municipal treasurer. To be eligible, the application for this second phase requires municipal governments to demonstrate additional financial pressures that were not alleviated as part of the Phase 1 stream.

To request Phase 2 funding, the Ministry will seek more detailed information through the application forms which need to be submitted using the Transfer Payment Ontario System by the deadline of October 30th, 2020. For additional support, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing will offer webinars to help better understand the application requirements and process.

AMO is pleased that joint support from the Federal and Provincial government has made $1.39 billion available to provide operating funding relief for municipalities in Ontario. This unprecedented funding will allow municipal governments to remain financially whole and to continue to provide needed services to their communities during the ongoing pandemic.

Ontario Appoints First Inspector General of Policing

The Ontario government has today appointed Devon Clunis as the Province's first Inspector General of Policing. This arm's length role will seek to provide policing oversight and ensure effective policing services are provided across Ontario.