Windsor-essex municipalities to get $50M in federal funding

Municipalities across Essex County will receive a total of about $50 million in federal funding to help “stabilize” their economies and maintain public infrastructure through the COVID -19 pandemic.

The money comes from the Canada Community-building Fund, previously called the Gas Tax Fund.

The government is giving communities a one-time “top-up” in funding that will double the amount they receive through the program.

Municipalities in Windsor-essex will receive $25,500,588 in scheduled funding for the 2021-22 fiscal year, along with a top-up of $24,417,344.

“I heard (Windsor) Mayor Dilkens and (Tecumseh) Mayor Mcnamara loud and clear when they told me municipalities are still hurting,” said Windsor-tecumseh MP Irek Kusmierczyk. “Windsor and Tecumseh have been working hard to maintain public services for residents, but they need urgent assistance. This investment by our federal government ensures our communities have the support they need as we rebuild, together.”

The federal government said Ontario will receive more than $850 million through the fund for the 2021–22 fiscal year, plus an $816-million top-up.

Communities can use the funds immediately, bank them for later, pool them with other municipalities or use them to finance major infrastructure expenditures.

Not all communities have determined what they'll do with the funding, but there are 18 project eligibility categories, including public transit, broadband and connectivity, capacity building, highways, sport infrastructure, culture and tourism.

“The City of Windsor has a robust $1.6-billion; 10-year capital plan,” said Andrew Teliszewsky, chief of staff for Mayor Drew Dilkens. “So projects already planned for, perhaps in later years could be pulled forward and undertaken more quickly as a result of this funding allocation. Administration will need to review the criteria and bring forward to Council to make a decision in the months ahead.”