This year’s budget debates are going to be messy. The municipality is already committed to a 5 percent increase to meet the provincially mandated Asset Management Plan requirements for road and infrastructure maintenance. 

That means a sizable tax hike is on the books before a single budget item has been funded.

Nonetheless, Council has committed to consider funding the Municipal Financial Relief Grants to the tune of $473,000 next year, the same amount as this year.

Councillors Roy Pennell, Brad Nieman, David Harrison, and Janice Maynard were opposed.

According to Programs Supervisor Julianne Snepts, the 2021 Census indicates 10.1 percent of the local population are living on low incomes, including 400 children. The County has the highest percentage of low-income seniors in Ontario. The statistics reflect a growing concern about economic insecurity across age groups, particularly among those on fixed incomes or working in low-wage, seasonal jobs.

The Financial Relief grants program has been around since 2022. It provides tax and water bill credits to low-income households, and is administered by the County Foundation.

In 2025, the funding envelope for the MFRG was $473,000, and supported 506 households. The fund was undersubscribed by approximately $56,000. 

Census data suggests only one third of those eligible for the grant are applying.

“With improved outreach, we could be oversubscribed to the program,” Ms. Snepts said. She added her department acknowledges the extreme financial pressures the municipal government will be dealing with and appreciated any feedback and suggestions from Council in advance of municipal budget meetings slated for early December.

The Poverty Reduction Action Team, a mechanism of Council’s Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan, recommends the development of a structured and coordinated approach to tackling poverty and its effects within the municipality.

Council endorsed a whole-community approach to raising awareness of and developing a strategies around poverty reduction. 

If approved, $20,000 in unspent funds from the 2025 Community Grants budget will be carried forward to continue municipal activities related to food security in 2026. Staff will work with residents on low incomes to develop recommendations for poverty reduction initiatives and the Municipal Financial Relief Grants for 2027 and beyond.