The provincial government of Ontario is increasing the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) by $50 million for 2026, bringing total funding to $600 million. This historic boost will support 388 small, northern, and rural municipalities, particularly those with a limited property tax base, helping them deliver critical services such as public transit, libraries, emergency services, and road maintenance.
Minister of Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson emphasized that the OMPF is essential for creating safe and strong rural communities, ensuring municipalities have the funding necessary to address local priorities and foster growth. The enhancement builds on significant increases in municipal support over the past two years, representing a combined 20 per cent increase.
Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting municipalities amid global economic uncertainty, ensuring that communities have the tools to continue providing vital services to residents. From 2019 to 2024, provincial support to municipalities grew by over 45 per cent, including investments through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund, the Homelessness Prevention Program, and the Gas Tax program for local transit improvements.
The additional $50 million in 2026 will be distributed across all four core grant components of the OMPF to continue assisting small, northern, and rural municipalities. The fund uses updated formula-based data to remain responsive to changing municipal needs. The province is also supporting housing development with an extra $1.6 billion through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, increasing the total investment to $4 billion.
