Ontario government invests $28M to help improve delivery of critical programs, services in Aurora

Funding is being made through the Municipal Modernization Program

Yorkregion.com
Feb. 17, 2022
Aileen Zangouei

The Ontario government is putting $28 million toward improving the delivery of critical programs and services in Aurora.

The funding is being made through the Municipal Modernization Program -- providing up to $350 million to help municipalities identify and implement modern solutions -- and will support multiple programs in Aurora, including: administration monetary penally system implementation; business continuity management program review; and corporate technology modernization.

"Helping municipalities like Aurora modernize services is an important part of our government’s work to build stronger communities," said Christine Elliott, MPP for Newmarket-Aurora. "This funding will be used to identify opportunities to support local businesses and bring more services online so that they’re easier and more convenient to access."

The funding will help Aurora and other municipalities conduct reviews of local services and administrative operations to find efficiencies, including accelerating the creation of new housing through streamlined development approvals and working with neighbouring municipalities to share services.

"With this investment, small and rural communities like the town of Aurora will be able to receive assistance to modernize their local services that will make life easier and affordable for families, businesses, and communities," said Michael Parsa, MPP for Aurora--Oak Ridges--Richmond Hill.

"In doing so, we will also be addressing the present and future needs of the municipalities and addressing the housing supply crisis," Parsa added.

The government's goal is to help municipalities across Ontario make their planning and approvals processes more efficient in order to unlock and fast-track new housing to address the supply crisis.

"COVID-19 has highlighted the need for municipalities to be as efficient and nimble as possible, while ensuring services remain financially sustainable today and in the future," said Steve Clark, minister of municipal affairs and housing.

"Through the Municipal Modernization Program, our government continues to support our municipal partners to operate more efficiently and streamline processes to deliver high-quality, sustainable services for residents and businesses, when and where they need them," Clark said.

To address the housing crisis, the province is providing between $3 billion between 2020 and 2022, through the Community Housing Renewal Strategy. "The province’s ongoing work to address housing supply complements our continued supports for supportive and affordable housing for our most vulnerable Ontarians," a Feb. 10 media release from the Ontario government states.

 

According to Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas, the pandemic has been a time that highlighted the important contributions municipalities make to improving quality of life for its residents.

"Residents depend on outdoor activities in parks and public spaces as well as modern, digital, accessible services," Mrakas said, adding that the town is thankful for the investment, which will help deliver the needed services and infrastructure within the community.