For immediate release

January 7, 2010

HOY DELIVERS $1M IN PROVINCIAL FUNDING FOR LEAMINGTON IN 2010

LEAMINGTON—Chatham-Kent-Essex MPP Pat Hoy announced the Province will deliver $1,034,800 this year to the Municipality of Leamington through OMPF, an increase of $400,100 over last year.

“We have increased Leamington’s funding from the Province by over $700,000 since we formed government in 2003,” said Hoy. “This benefit is important to our local economy and our community’s quality of life and can help lower local property taxes.”

"Municipalities are benefiting considerably from the McGuinty government’s decision to upload social assistance costs,” said Hoy. “In 2010, the province will provide $1.2 billion in support with $625 million in OMPF and $570 million in social assistance benefit program uploads. This will save the County of Essex $7 million.”

Hoy pointed out that the OMPF announcement doesn’t include other ongoing provincial support to Leamington:

• $139,000 for 2010 estimated provincial gas tax revenue.
• $5.8 million reduction to Business Education Taxes in Essex County, or an average cut of 34.2 percent by 2014.
• $5 million in Infrastructure Stimulus Funding.
• $6 million Intake One of Building Canada Fund to upgrade the Leamington Pollution Control Centre.
• $1.1 million Intake Two for Seacliff Park redevelopment.
• $250,000 for Recreational Infrastructure projects.
• In 2008: $2.2 million special funding for municipal infrastructure.
• $9.8 million for MIII (Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative).
• $1 million through RIII (Rural Infrastructure Investment Initiative).
• $681,000 for Municipal Roads & Bridges program.

The OMPF assists municipalities with their share of social program costs, supports areas with limited property assessment, addresses challenges faced by northern and rural communities, and responds to policing costs in rural communities.

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Media Contact: Pat Hoy, MPP, 519-351-0510