Funding being delivered through the Municipal Modernization Program
The Ontario government is providing up to $225,000 to help improve the delivery of critical programs and services in the Township of Hamilton. The funding is being delivered through the Municipal Modernization Program and will
support the following project:
· Township of Hamilton Water Supply and Distribution System Service Delivery Review
· Township of Hamilton Records and Information Management Digital Modernization
“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 MPP David Piccini. “We are delivering on our promise to modernize local service delivery by supporting municipalities as they identify and implement solutions that improve delivery of critical programs and services. 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. We will continue to work with our municipal partners to support the delivery of quality, cost-efficient service.”
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.
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.
“We are very pleased to receive the support of the Province to investigate ways to improve the operation and the delivery of our water system and to modernize our records management,” said Bill Cane, Mayor, Township of Hamilton. “Both of these important initiatives will help improve our future operations. We are always looking for
ways to improve our municipal operations and this support will definitely help us do just that.”
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.
QUICK FACTS
· Additional funding totaling up to $453,250 is being delivered through the Municipal Modernization Program for the following projects:
· Municipality of Port Hope Virtual City Hall Integration
· Municipality of Port Hope Review of Records Management System
· Municipality of Port Hope Finance and Human Resources Processes Review
· Municipality of Trent Hills Development Approval Service Review
· Township of Asphodel-Norwood Administration Software and Process Review
· County of Northumberland Digital Modernization and Process Management Improvement
· County of Peterborough Paramedic Service Modernization
· County of Peterborough Joint Service Delivery Process and Software Review
· The historic federal-provincial Safe Restart Agreement secured up to $4 billion in emergency funding to support municipalities throughout COVID-19.
· Ontario is also providing municipalities with almost $1 billion in additional financial relief in 2021 to help preserve vital public services and support economic recovery. This includes $500 million to help municipalities address their ongoing COVID-19 operating costs, $255 million under the Social Services Relief Fund, and $150 million for transit.
Ontario Expanding Access to High-Speed Internet in the
Township of Hamilton
Halstead Beach is part of an investment of up to $1,920,101 to connect up to 2,860 households
With an ambitious plan to bring high-speed internet to every community across the province, Ontario is announcing an investment of up to $14.7 million for 13 new projects under the Improving Connectivity for Ontario (ICON) program. These projects will bring reliable, high-speed internet to 42 communities across the province, including Halstead Beach in the Township of Hamilton.
“Our government continues to bring high-speed internet access across the province, including to several remote and First Nation communities,” said MPP David Piccini. “Ontario is now leading the way, committing significant funds like this up to $1,920,101 investment in Halstead Beach, Solina, and other communities, to connect up to 2,860 homes and businesses. There’s more to be done, and the good news for our community is that we’re continuing to accelerate these projects.”
“We are hearing from our residents about the need for reliable high-speed internet access and are pleased to see the support of the Province to invest in this important infrastructure,” said Bill Cane, Mayor, Township of Hamilton. “We will continue to work with the Province to expand this program, and truly appreciate the investment in our Township that will make a real difference to our community.”
These projects will help Ontario move forward in its plan to achieve 100 per cent connectivity after committing nearly $4 billion to ensure all Ontarians have access to high-speed internet by the end of 2025. This is the largest single investment in high-speed internet, in any province, by any government in Canadian history.
High-speed internet is critical for access to vital services like health care, education, employment and justice, while increasing opportunity for everyone. This investment is part of the 2021 Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy.
QUICK FACTS
· Hiawatha First Nation will receive an investment of up to $409,742 in provincial funding to connect up to 174 homes/businesses.
· Ontario recently announced a new innovative procurement process to help connect underserved and unserved communities across the province. This new delivery model will be led by Infrastructure Ontario, with procurement beginning this summer.
· Last year, the Province launched the Improving Connectivity for Ontario (ICON) program, a multi-year program that aims to support approved high-speed internet and cellular projects.
· Up to Speed: Ontario’s Broadband and Cellular Action Plan is already providing internet and cellular access to homes and businesses in communities across Ontario.
· The Province has invested in initiatives to improve connectivity across Eastern and Southwestern Ontario. It has also invested in high-speed internet projects in rural and Northern Ontario, such as through the Northern Ontario Heritage
Fund Corporation and the Next Generation Network Program.
· Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) Cellular Gap Project: In spring 2021, Rogers was announced as the successful proponent to improve cellular and mobile broadband in eastern Ontario. Their investment increased the total value of the project to over $300 million. Both the provincial and federal governments are contributing up to
$71 million each. Work will begin in summer 2021.
· Expanding access to high-speed internet is part of Ontario Onwards: Ontario’s COVID19 Action Plan for a People Focused Government, which includes more than 30 projects that are changing the way people and businesses interact with government.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
