Ford cuts more than $100,000 from funding for Dryden

NDP decries Conservatives for shortchanging Northwestern Ontario again

DRYDEN — John Vanthof, NDP Deputy Leader, is sounding the alarm over Doug Ford’s big cut to the dollars Dryden will get from the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund. Vanthof said Ford is once again shortchanging Northwestern Ontario by taking support away in the middle of the pandemic, when he should be giving Dryden, and municipalities in Kenora-Rainy River, more help.

In 2021, Dryden will get $108,600 less from the province through the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund, as Ford slashes its allocation by 4.5 per cent. The cut comes after Ford axed $5 million from the total fund in 2019, and again in 2020.

“Doug Ford’s cut to funding for Dryden will delay critical work like road repairs and squeeze services people count on locally,” said Vanthof. “This comes as a devastating blow during the pandemic, and piles onto years of Liberal and Conservative neglect of Northern Ontario.

“It’s a shame that Ford’s Conservatives are signing off on cuts that shortchange Northwestern Ontario instead of standing up for Dryden.”

Ford also froze Rainy River’s share of the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund and shaved Kenora’s allocation.

“Northwestern Ontario municipalities deserve better,” said Vanthof. “The provincial government should be giving Dryden and Kenora more help right now, not taking support away.”

“The NDP is urging Doug Ford and his Conservatives to undo their callous cuts and top up funding for Northwestern municipalities during the pandemic and beyond.”

Background:

For 2021, Ford is cutting $108,600 from the City of Dryden’s share of the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund, compared to 2020.
https://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/budget/ompf/2021/pdf/6026.pdf

For 2021, Ford is cutting $9,200 from the City of Kenora’s share of the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund, compared to 2020.
https://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/budget/ompf/2021/pdf/6016.pdf

For 2021, Ford has frozen the Town of Rainy River’s share of the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund.
https://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/budget/ompf/2021/pdf/5942.pdf