Ontario Government Announces Substantial Funding Increase for Windsor Municipality
The Government of Ontario has significantly increased annual funding for the City of Windsor, providing nearly $1 million in additional financial support to help the municipality manage costs associated with provincial systems and services.
Funding Details and Official Announcement
During a press conference at Windsor City Hall on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, MPP Andrew Dowie (PC — Windsor-Tecumseh) revealed that Windsor will receive a total of $25,333,900 this year from the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund. This represents an increase of $947,000 compared to the 2025 allocation, marking a substantial boost in provincial support for the southwestern Ontario city.
The OMPF is specifically designed to make municipalities as financially whole as possible, Dowie explained to reporters gathered at the announcement. There's an acknowledgment that cities like Windsor need additional funds to reflect the services that they account for within the provincial framework.
Intended Use and Municipal Flexibility
Dowie emphasized that while the funding is primarily intended to cover operating costs rather than capital expenses, Windsor maintains full discretion over how to allocate the additional resources. The money can be used however the city sees fit, he confirmed, though the provincial intention is to help municipalities manage ongoing operational expenses related to provincial responsibilities.
Examples of services that might benefit from this increased funding include prisoner transportation and various courthouse-related services, both of which fall under provincial jurisdiction but impact municipal resources and budgets.
Municipal Response and Budget Integration
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, who appeared alongside Dowie during the announcement, revealed that the city had been aware of the funding increase for several months and had already incorporated it into the 2026 municipal budget. We accounted for this increase in our budget planning, Dilkens stated, noting that Windsor City Council adopted the budget last month.
The 2026 budget notably froze property taxes while still allowing for responsible community investments. In a year where we implemented a zero budget increase due to affordability concerns, we still want to invest responsibly in our community, Dilkens explained.
Historical Context and Provincial Funding Expansion
Dilkens highlighted the importance of the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund as a consistent and reliable funding source for Windsor. The OMPF has been a consistent funding source for us, he said, one that we distribute across a wide variety of municipal uses. This flexibility allows us to address the most pressing needs in our community, which is critically important.
Provincially, the Ontario government has increased the total OMPF allocation by $50 million this year, bringing the overall fund to $600 million distributed across municipalities throughout the province. This represents a significant investment in local government support and reflects the province's commitment to helping municipalities manage their financial responsibilities effectively.
The funding announcement comes at a time when municipalities across Ontario are facing increasing financial pressures, making this additional support particularly valuable for Windsor's ongoing operations and service delivery to residents.
