Newmarket gets $1.8 million in government funding to ease COVID-19 burden

'The town's budge is under considerable pressure,' mayor says

Yorkregion.com
August 18, 2020
Lisa Queen

Newmarket is receiving more than $1.8 million from the federal and provincial governments to help ease the financial burden of the COVID-19 crisis.

The money is part of funding being given to all of Ontario’s 444 municipalities under the Safe Restart Agreement to address pressures they are facing during the pandemic.

“The Town of Newmarket is pleased to receive approximately $1.8 million from the provincial and federal government(s),” Mayor John Taylor said in a statement.

“With this funding, the town can continue to make fiscally responsible decisions that will limit the financial impacts of COVID-19 on our community. Like many businesses and families, the town’s budget is under considerable pressure in 2020 and potentially in 2021, and we will also apply to the second round of the COVID-19 financial program for municipalities in an effort to ensure we are best positioned for recovery.”

The town has not yet decided where the funding will be allocated given the changing landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic and potential for a second wave, the statement from the town said.

Taylor, councillors and staff will continue to take action to mitigate financial impacts as the town strives to maintain its own ongoing target of having a per capita tax rate of 10 per cent below the Greater Toronto Area average, it said.

The town has implemented various programs and initiatives to assist residents and businesses during the pandemic, including the financial relief program to assist those who are having difficulties making property tax, water and other payments, the business assistance concierge (BAC) program to help local businesses and the economic resiliency action plan which focuses on both the immediate and long-term restoration of business activity in Newmarket.

Under the Safe Restart Agreement, in September, Ontario’s 444 municipalities will receive $695 million in Phase 1 funding for municipal operating pressures. This funding will be allocated on a per household basis and will be shared 50/50 between upper and lower tier municipalities.

Up to $695 million in additional funding will be available through Phase 2 for municipalities that have COVID-related financial impacts that exceed the initial per household allocation provided under Phase 1.