Fourteen communities in the Kenora-Rainy River region will be receiving much-needed allocations in 2022 under the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF).

The combined total of over $13.8 million announced by the Ontario government today (October 27, 2021) will help alleviate the financial burdens that townships, municipalities, and cities in the region face.

"Our government recognizes the importance of the OMPF to communities across the province,” said Greg Rickford, MPP for Kenora–Rainy River. “I am pleased that municipalities in Kenora–Rainy River will continue to benefit from this important provincial program.”

Rickford added this money will allow each location to plan for next year.

“Many of these townships, small towns, and cities in rural and especially Northern Ontario have faced a different kind of struggle. We wanted to be right there with them. This is good money that will give them a lot of flexibility and help them identify their priorities for the year 2022.”

  • Township of Alberton $166,100

  • Township of Chapple $435,400

  • Township of Dawson $493,800

  • City of Dryden $2,145,500

  • Township of Emo $410,000

  • Town of Fort Frances $3,461,900

  • Township of Ignace $904,000

  • City of Kenora $3,084,300

  • Township of La Vallee $288,700

  • Township of Lake of the Woods $652,800

  • Municipality of Machin $316,400

  • Township of Morley $201,400

  • Town of Rainy River $631,000

  • Township of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls $618,500

Growing up in the region and the MPP, Rickford knows firsthand what these communities face on a daily basis.

“They don’t have big tax bases. This kind of resource respects and understands that and provides them with the resources they need to focus on their priorities,” concluded Rickford.

The OMPF is the province’s main general assistance grant to municipalities.

The program primarily supports northern and rural municipalities across the province. Its objectives are to:

  • recognize the challenges of northern and rural municipalities, while targeting funding to those with more challenging fiscal circumstances;

  • support areas with limited property assessment; and

  • assist municipalities that are adjusting to year-over-year funding changes.

The OMPF supports 389 municipalities across the province. The funding provided through the program is unconditional and can be used to support the local priorities and specific needs of each community.