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Town seeking further financial assistance from the federal-provincial government

The town received over $800K in August as part of Phase 1 of the government's COVID-19 support grant
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A Bradford West Gwillimbury sign welcomes people into town on Barrie Street. Jenni Dunning/Bradford Today

The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury will be seeking more financial assistance from Phase 2 of Safe Restart Agreement (SRA) Funding. 

The two-phase program was first announced at the end of July, with the federal and provincial governments promising up to $4 billion in emergency funding for 444 Ontario municipalities - half to support municipal operating pressures, the other half to be directed towards municipal transit, impacted by COVID-19. 

The financial impacts of the pandemic have been felt worldwide, and municipalities like Bradford West Gwillimbury continue to seek support.

In August, the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury received $828,600 in the first phase of the SRA grant program through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, to support COVID-19 operating costs and pressures. 

At around the same time, Minister Caroline Mulroney announced Bradford West Gwillimbury would receive an additional $44,829 to mitigate COVID-19 related costs associated with the town’s transit program. 

In Tuesday's meeting of council, BWG Council voted apply for additional funding through Phase 2 of the program. 

The province had directed that any unused funds from Phase 1 be allocated to the town’s Reserves for 2021 COVID-19 costs, and that municipalities only apply for Phase 2 of the program if their 2020 operating pressures are in excess of the funding allocation from Phase 1. 

On Tuesday, Treasurer Ian Goodfellow confirmed that the funds received from the first phase of the program will address costs and shortfalls in 2020, and that BWG will in fact need to apply for the second phase. 

"We’re in a situation where the 828k that the municipality received, as fantastic as that is, it was not adequate...We aren't in a situation at this point in time to have any funding to carry over. Fingers crossed if this carries on, the province will make an announcement in the future about 2021 (funding)," Goodfellow said. 

For Phase 2, the town must complete a detailed financial template, including actual financial results from Jan. 1 - Sept. 30, a forecast for Oct. 1 -  Dec. 31., and approved budget figures identifying variances attributable to COVID-19. 

As of Sept. 30, the town had spent over $250,000 on items directly related to COVID-19, such as cleaning supplies, additional PPE, signage and screens for customer service desks. "A lot of our expenses were managed through the operating budget," Goodfellow noted. 

The town has indicated that exactly how the Phase 1 SRA funding will be allocated has yet to be determined.

"We will wait until closer to the March 2021 reporting date for the SRA and then identify and report on the actual impact of COVID to our finances and determine how the money will be allocated to address the shortfalls," said Caleigh Clubine, the town's Community Relations Officer.

Staff will be providing a forecast of the last quarter of the year for council to review at its Nov. 3 meeting. The deadline for the Phase 2 application was originally set as Oct. 30; the deadline has since been extended to Nov. 6.

Town staff have assured council the application will be ready to submit in good time. 

The province is planning to make its COVID-19 related funding announcement before year-end, with payments to follow in early 2021 for each successful application.


Natasha Philpott

About the Author: Natasha Philpott

Natasha is the Editor for BradfordToday and InnisfilToday. She graduated from the Media Studies program at The University of Guelph-Humber. She lives in Bradford with her husband, two boys and two cats.
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