Province Announces 2023 Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund Allocations

TORONTO — The Ontario government is announcing 2023 municipal funding allocations under the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) that primarily supports northern and rural municipalities across the province. The Ontario government is maintaining the program envelope at $500 million for 2023 and communicating funding allocations in advance of the municipal budget year to support municipalities with their planning processes.

The OMPF targets funding to municipalities facing challenging fiscal circumstances and supports areas with limited property assessment.

“Our government understands the importance of certainty and stability for municipalities across the province particularly during these times of economic uncertainty. We are maintaining the overall structure and program envelope of the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund, while ensuring the program continues to be responsive to municipal circumstances,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “Northern and rural municipalities face unique challenges. This is why we have been increasing support to northern and rural municipalities through the doubling of the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund and introducing the Northern Ontario Resource Development Support Fund.”

“Municipalities provide important services that people depend on every day. The Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund offers predictable and stable funding to help smaller and northern municipalities deliver these critical services,” said Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) President Colin Best. “AMO appreciates the Ontario Government’s commitment to the OMPF, and we continue to work together to ensure we have a strong foundation of municipal services to support growth and prosperity in Ontario.”

The government remains committed to strengthening its relationship with municipalities to continue to build stronger and more resilient communities.

Quick Facts

  • The OMPF supports 389 municipalities across the province. The funding provided through the program is unconditional and can be used to support the local priorities and specific needs of each community.
  • In 2023, the program is again providing $500 million to 389 of Ontario’s 444 municipalities.
  • The OMPF primarily supports northern and rural municipalities across the province. Its objectives are to:
    • recognize the challenges of small, northern and rural municipalities, while targeting funding to those with more challenging fiscal circumstances;
    • support areas with limited property assessment; and
    • assist municipalities that are adjusting to year-over-year funding changes.
  • The government has committed $400 million annually over five years to invest in local infrastructure and asset management through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF). OCIF provides investment to help 424 small, rural and Northern communities construct and rehabilitate roads, bridges, water and wastewater infrastructure.
  • The Northern Ontario Resource Development Support (NORDS) program is providing up to $15 million annually over five years to northern municipalities to support infrastructure projects.

Additional Resources