The Ontario government is providing the City of Sarnia $3,812,100 in 2025 through the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF). The OMPF is the province’s main general assistance grant to municipalities, allowing recipients to make critical investments and fund local priorities in their communities.
“Today’s announcement continues to demonstrate our government’s commitment to rural and Northern municipalities,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs. “We recognize these municipalities need predictability, so they can confidently plan and deliver projects that are important to their communities. The increased funding will help them to address local priorities.”
Sarnia is seeing a seven per cent increase over 2024’s allocation.
Other municipalities in the Southwest receiving an increase in Ontario Municipal Partnership Funding this year include:
,• The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is receiving $21,545,200, a 12 per cent increase over 2024.
• The Municipality of Middlesex Centre is receiving $1,403,400, an 18 per cent increase over 2024.
The Journal sought clarification from the Ministry of Finance regarding the funding disparities between municipalities, such as Chatham-Kent and Sarnia. According to a spokesperson, “the OMFP is a formula-based data driven program that primarily supports small, northern and rural municipalities, while targeting funding to those with more challenging fiscal circumstances. The program also assists municipalities that are adjusting to year-over-year funding changes. The program will continue to be responsive to municipal circumstances through annual data updates.”
In 2025, the vast majority of OMPF recipients – over 80 per cent – will see an increase in their overall support through the program.
“We have heard from small, Northern, and rural municipalities that they need more support to meet the financial challenges they face in delivering services to their communities," said Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, "and that’s exactly what this significant increase to OMPF, delivered through our recent Fall Economic Statement, will help them do,”
“Municipalities are critical partners in delivering important local services,” he said, “and we will continue working together to build more homes, support economic growth, and strengthen Ontario’s communities in a way that is sustainable and responsible.”