By Cecilia Nasmith
Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini updated Cobourg council on a few government programs at Monday's meeting.
Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund funding was announced Jan. 27, with another $200-million investment into local infrastructure. The Town of Cobourg's 2020 allocation of $638,141 represents a 55% increase over the past two years.
“An important note is the predictability. This is the earliest ever we have announced that funding,” Piccini said.
Municipal Modernization Funding initially invested $2.6-million to support 27 joint projects to help more than 130 small rural municipalities conduct service reviews. Among those projects accepted was Cobourg's application for a joint review of fire services in Northumberland County.
The Investing In Canada Infrastructure Program is among the most-subscribed infrastructure-repair programs in the province's history, and Cobourg is the only Northumberland municipality to submit two applications worth a collective $12.25-million.
Court-security and prisoner-transport grants provide $125-million to Ontario municipalities that host court, based on a formula that takes into account the percentage of costs a municipality has on this matter in relation to costs across the province. The $72,028.80 Cobourg will get for this purpose is up from $26,953 last year.
Though he had to send a representative to Rural Ontario Municipalities Association 2020 conference on his behalf, Piccini understands that Northumberland had five delegations take part in key meetings.
The County of Northumberland accounts for four – with Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli about Cobourg's Venture 13 business and entrepreneurship centre, with Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Ernie Hardeman about Colborne's Ontario Agrifood Venture Centre, with Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark about affordable housing, and with Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott on community paramedicine – and a proposal has been approved having to do with the last one, Piccini said.
Finally, Hamilton Township met with the Solicitor General Sylvia Jones on amalgamating police service boards.
Councillor Brian Darling pointed out that the town having to bear court-security and prisoner-transport costs is the result of provincial downloading, and asked if there is any thought to the province resuming these costs. Piccini said he knows of no plans for this.
