Ontario Supports Modernization of Small and Rural Communities
Funding helps improve the delivery of critical programs and services while saving taxpayers’ dollars in Oxford
WOODSTOCK — The Ontario government is providing up to $845,989 to help improve the delivery of critical programs and services in Oxford. The funding is being delivered through the Municipal Modernization Program and will support the following projects:
- Township of East Zorra-Tavistock Software and Technology Modernization
- Town of Tillsonburg Combined Municipal Space and Operations Studies for IT and Solid Waste
- Town of Tillsonburg Urban Forestry Modernization
- Town of Tillsonburg Citizen Portal Implementation
- City of Woodstock Agenda Management Modernization
- City of Woodstock Implementation of Virtual City Hall
- City of Woodstock Parking Permit and Enforcement Modernization
- Oxford, Elgin and Perth Counties Joint Municipal Paramedic Service Deployment Review
- Oxford County and Lower Tiers Joint Road Operations and Maintenance Service Delivery Review
- Oxford County, Town of Tillsonburg and City of Woodstock Joint Water and Wastewater Service Delivery Review
- Oxford County, Town of Ingersoll and Town of Tillsonburg Joint Feasibility Review of Accounts Payable Digitization Process
“The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the need to deliver programming more efficiently so that people can access the services they need, when they need them,” said Ernie Hardeman, MPP for Oxford. “These projects will ensure that our community will benefit from innovative and streamlined solutions in a way that will positively impact services and save taxpayers’ dollars.”
Ontario is providing up to $24 million to support the modernization of 224 small and rural municipalities across the province. A total of 254 projects will receive funding under Intake 2 of Ontario’s Municipal Modernization Program.
“Today marks another milestone in our government’s commitment to supporting municipalities as they look for ways to improve service delivery in our communities,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “To put it simply, identifying and implementing modern solutions means money is diverted away from wasteful service delivery and stays in the pockets of local taxpayers.”
Municipalities will use the funding to find efficiencies and implement a wide range of initiatives to digitize, streamline and/or integrate programs and services with neighbouring communities. The funding will also help municipalities administer the cost saving measures in time for the 2022 municipal budget cycle.
Ontario has committed up to $125 million over four years through the Municipal Modernization Program to help small and rural municipalities modernize services. Under Intake 1, the Province invested $11.8 million in 180 modernization projects and identified over $100 million in savings and efficiencies.
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