Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund allocations announced

TORONTO—The 2022 funding allocations under the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF), the Ontario government’s main general assistance grant for municipalities, were announced recently.

Throughout the government’s consultations with municipalities on their priorities for the OMPF, municipal partners have stressed the importance of stability and predictability, particularly during these uncertain times, indicates a release. In response, the government will be maintaining both the structure of the OMPF and the program envelope at $500 million for 2022, as committed at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s (AMO) annual conference in August.

Recognizing the challenges of northern and rural municipalities and farming communities, the OMPF targets funding to municipalities facing challenging fiscal circumstances and supports areas with limited property assessment, while assisting municipalities that are adjusting to year-over-year funding changes, adds the release.

“Predictable and timely financial support from the province is essential for budget planning in small and rural municipalities,” said AMO President Graydon Smith in a statement. “The early rollout of stable 2022 Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund allocations sets the stage for effective budget planning for the for year ahead.”