August 12, 2020

Drew Dilkens
Mayor, City of Windsor
350 City Hall Square P.O. Box 1607
Windsor ON N9A 6S1 

Dear Drew Dilkens:

I am writing to provide you with details regarding the $150 million in new provincial funding announced by Premier Ford and myself on July 2, 2020, and the additional $212 million of funding announced on August 12, 2020 as part of the federal-provincial Safe Restart Agreement for a total of $362 million.

These funds will be made available as part of a second phase of funding under the Social Services Relief Fund (SSRF), and increase the government’s total SSRF investment for Service Managers and Indigenous Program Administrators to $510 million.

I would like to acknowledge the Federal government in their role in this historic agreement. As Premier Ford has indicated, “by working together, we have united the country in the face of the immense challenges brought on by COVID-19 and secured a historic deal with the federal government to ensure a strong recovery for Ontario and for Canada”.

Protecting the health and well-being of all Ontarians continues to be our government’s number one priority. We appreciate your efforts to assist vulnerable people in your communities throughout the COVID-19 outbreak and understand that additional assistance is needed to meet ongoing needs, including for those struggling to pay rent. Long-term housing solutions is also a priority under SSRF Phase 2, and we encourage investments in this area to allow for greater resiliency for future pandemic waves and emergencies.

To ensure SSRF Phase 2 funding is targeted to where it is needed most, the Ministry will hold back a portion of the total SSRF Phase 2 funding from funding allocations and will determine how to allocate it in the coming months based on public health needs.