White: New provincial infrastructure funding is "good News"
Delegates attending the Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO) convention heard Premier Kathleen Wynne announce $100 million in new annual funding from the province for municipal infrastructure.
Wellington County Warden Chris White, a director on the AMO rural caucus, said municipal leaders seem pleased with the funding announcement despite it being short on detail.
According to a press release from the province, half of the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund will be allocated annually using a formula, which recognizes that municipalities have different infrastructure and fiscal needs.
The remaining $50 million will flow through an application-based process.
“Any money coming out of the province is good News,” White told the Advertiser.
He added he would have liked to have seen more provincial funding “guaranteed” like federal gas tax funding, which earmarks a specific amount annually to municipalities.
“I would still like to see more long term,” White added.
He also said “critical” infrastructure needs may be a priority with the province.
AMO represents 418 of 440 municipalities in Ontario.
