Ontario Strengthening Emergency Preparedness

Press Release

September 16, 2024

TORONTO — The Ontario government is expanding its support for local emergency readiness with a second round of funding for the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant (CEPG) for 2024-25. This new $5 million investment will help equip municipalities and organizations with essential resources, equipment and training to better prepare for natural disasters and emergencies.

“Our government is ensuring that municipalities and community organizations across the province have the tools needed to face future challenges head-on,” said Trevor Jones, Associate Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response. “This funding will strengthen resilience across communities, providing essential emergency supplies, equipment and training. A safer, more prepared Ontario starts with ensuring our communities have the resources they need to respond effectively in times of crisis.”

The CEPG is part of the government’s three-year, $110 million investment to strengthen emergency preparedness in Ontario, providing communities with the resources they need to stay safe, practiced and prepared. The next round of CEPG funding will be tailored to each recipient’s unique needs and can be used for purchasing equipment such as generators, sandbagging machines, thermal imaging drones and radio systems. It can also be directed towards emergency management training and awareness initiatives.

Applications are open until October 31, 2024, 5:00 p.m. ET.

Quick Facts

Eligible applicants must be located in Ontario and include:
- Small- and medium-sized municipalities (with populations under 100,000 people);
- Local services boards established under the Northern Services Board Act;
- First Nations communities, Tribal Councils and Indigenous service organizations that support emergency management programming in First Nations communities;
- Non-governmental organizations with an emergency preparedness mandate or responsibility;
- Non-governmental organizations that provide fire protection services to communities;
- Non-municipal fire departments or entities providing fire protection services as defined in the Fire Protection and Prevention Act in unincorporated Ontario.
In 2023-24, the $5 million grant program supported 113 recipients across Ontario.
Recipients who received funding in 2023-24 will be ineligible, allowing other communities and organizations from across Ontario to benefit from this program.
Applicants must have a My Ontario Account and register for Transfer Payment Ontario.
The province is hosting information sessions to help guide applicants through the application process. Participants must register in advance if they are interested in attending.

Quotes

“Pelham has experienced extreme weather events recently and has seen the damage they can inflict. With the support of the 2023-24 Community Emergency Preparedness Grant, our municipality has benefited from having access to enhanced training, the ability to continue to share emergency preparedness knowledge with residents and new reliable equipment so our firefighters can continue their good work for the community.”

– Marvin Junkin
Mayor of the Town of Pelham

We are thankful for the financial support provided by the province’s 2023-24 Community Emergency Preparedness Grant. This funding has helped us purchase a trailer-mounted generator that supplies emergency backup power to vital infrastructure in case of system failure during storms. This new asset strengthens our emergency preparedness planning and protects our systems and community during crucial times.”

– Shaun Martinho
Director of Public Operations, The Corporation of the Town of Kingsville

Additional Resources

Ontario Strengthening Emergency Preparedness

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