The Ontario government is reportedly cutting $108,600 from the City of Dryden’s share of the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund for 2021.
The program primarily supports northern and rural municipalities across the province and is aimed at assisting municipalities that are adjusting to year-over-year funding changes.
NDP Deputy Leader John Vanthof says the Premier is once again shortchanging Northwestern Ontario by taking support away in the middle of the pandemic.
“Doug Ford’s cut to funding for Dryden will delay critical work like road repairs and squeeze services people count on locally. This comes as a devastating blow during the pandemic, and piles onto years of Liberal and Conservative neglect of Northern Ontario.”
Vanthof says the government also froze Rainy River’s share and shaved Kenora’s allocation.
He says once the pandemic is over those cuts in OMPF and to the Health Unit will still be there and people will forget about one time funding and the north will be dealing with the long term pain.
The former northeastern Ontario Town Councillors says northern municipalities need predictable funding.
