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Outgoing Mayors Jim Harrison and Prince Edward County Mayor Steve Ferguson have been passionate advocates for more funding for rural municipalities.
Today, the Ontario government has announced that the two municipalities will share $5.8 million.
The office of Bay of Quinte MPP Tyler Allsopp has released the following statement.
As part of its plan to protect small, rural and northern communities, the Ontario government is investing $5,803,600 this year through the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) to help support critical services such as road maintenance and public transit in Bay of Quinte. Prince Edward County will receive $4,209,300, while the City of Quinte West will receive $1,594,600.
“Municipalities need stable, predictable funding to assist them in delivering priority projects that benefit their residents and businesses. With additional funding flowing through the Ontario Municipal Partnership fund, our government is ensuring that rural municipalities like Prince Edward County and Quinte West can plan to meet their needs,” said Tyler Allsopp, MPP for Bay of Quinte.
In November 2024, the Ontario government announced a $100 million expansion of the OMPF over two years, bringing the total annual investment to $600 million in 2026. Across eastern Ontario, the province is investing more than $99 million in OMPF funding to help support critical services in 81 communities.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates our government’s commitment to protecting rural municipalities,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs. “Through the OMPF, we’re helping to ensure that Prince Edward County and Quinte West have the resources it needs to address local priorities, support economic growth and improve quality of life for residents.”
The OMPF is the province’s largest funding program for small, rural and northern municipalities, including areas with limited property assessment. Local municipal leaders welcomed the increased investment.
“The Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund is an important source of support for rural municipalities like Prince Edward County,” said Steve Ferguson, Mayor of Prince Edward County. “We are grateful to receive more than $4.2 million in OMPF funding in 2026, which helps us deliver essential services, maintain infrastructure, and meet the unique needs of our community. This investment helps ensure we can continue providing the high-quality services our residents rely on every day.”
“The Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund helps communities like ours deliver the critical services residents rely on every day,” said Jim Harrison, Mayor of Quinte West. “The provincial government’s investment provides important support to municipalities as we work to maintain essential services.”
QUICK FACTS
• The OMPF is a formula-based program that incorporates annual data updates to ensure the program is responsive to changing municipal circumstances.
• For funding support with local economic development projects, small, rural and northern municipalities can apply to the Rural Ontario Development (ROD) Program. Visit Ontario.ca/MyRural to find out more.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
• Ontario increasing support to municipalities through the OMPF – https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1006683/ontario-increasing-support-to-municipalitiesthrough-the-ontario-municipal-partnership-fund
• 2026 Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund – https://www.ontario.ca/document/2026-ontario-municipal-partnership-fund
