$11 million for Central Algoma municipalities

NEWS RELEASE

MIKE BROWN, MPP ALGOMA-MANITOULIN

************************* Brown announces funding from Ontario government

Municipalities in Central Algoma to receive $11.3 million

QUEEN’S PARK - Mike Brown, MPP, Algoma-Manitoulin, is pleased to announce that the Ontario government is investing $11,328,727 in the communities of Bruce Mines, Hilton, Hilton Beach, Jocelyn, Johnson, Huron Shores, Laird, Macdonald, Meredith & Aberdeen Add’l., Plummer Add’l., St. Joseph, and Thessalon.

[These funds include:]

- $2,377,627 under the Roads and Bridges Programme (R & B).

- $2,123,000 Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative (MIII).

- $6,828,100 Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF)

The Ontario government is investing $2,377,627 for repairs to roads and bridges in Central Algoma.

“We’re working to repair and rebuild the municipal roads and bridges that connect our communities because families and goods need to get to where they’re going quickly, safely and efficiently," said Brown, "it’s good for families, and it’s good for the economy.”

Through the MIII, Brown is pleased to announce that four municipalities in Central Algoma will receive $2,123,000.

“I applaud the successful applicants under this programme," said Brown. "This represents significant additional projects in the area.”

In addition to the capital monies, the municipalities will receive, collectively, $6,828,100 under the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF).

This represents a nearly 4 percent increase in ongoing operating support to the municipalities over last year, and almost $1 million additional money since the government took office four years ago.

“I am proud to announce OMPF funding for these municipalities,” said Brown. “This funding is important to our local economy and our community’s quality of life.”

The OMPF assists municipalities with their share of social program costs and addresses challenges faced by Northern and rural communities.

As of January 2008, the province is fully responsible for Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program costs, removing this burden from the municipal property tax base.

The province is also fully uploading from the municipalities the Ontario Disability Support Programme (ODSP) costs by 2011.

This is a $900 million benefit to property tax payers.

”[The] $11,328,727 is good news for Central Algoma,” added Brown. “The Ontario government is investing in municipal projects to help communities give families a good quality of life with real opportunities.”

[To see how the funding breaks down according to community and program, please click here and here.]

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