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Essa receives provincial funding for emergency response

May 29, 2025   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

The provincial government is providing the Township of Essa with $46,111 to prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Funding is being delivered through the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant, and was announced by Brian Saunders, MPP for Simcoe-Grey on May 21.

The grant allows the community to strengthen emergency preparedness by funding local emergency management training, purchasing critical equipment, and improving infrastructure to make communities more resilient.

“Here in Simcoe-Grey, we certainly know first-hand the damage and destruction that events like severe weather can cause,” said MPP Saunderson. “During the recent ice storm, trees were toppled, and power was lost. This investment in a generator will help ensure power can always flow to the Township of Essa’s Municipal Office, which also serves as their Emergency Operations Centre. This will better enable staff to share vital information and provide important services to impacted residents.”

This year, 114 municipalities are receiving funding through the 2024-25 Community Emergency Preparedness Grant (CEPG) to help them purchase critical equipment and deliver emergency management training to increase local emergency readiness.

“On behalf of the Township of Essa, I would like to sincerely thank the Ford government and our MPP Brian Saunderson for their continued support and commitment to community safety,” said Essa Mayor Sandie Macdonald. “The Emergency Preparedness Grant we have received is a vital investment in protecting our residents and enhancing our readiness to respond effectively to emergencies. This funding strengthens our ability to plan, prepare, and act with resilience, ensuring that Essa remains a safe and secure place for everyone who calls it home.”

The CEPG grant supports municipalities, local services boards, First Nations communities, Tribal Councils, Indigenous service organizations and non-governmental organizations with mandates or responsibilities in emergency preparedness.

Recipients were selected through a rigorous and competitive review process.

“A safe and prepared Ontario comes when communities and organizations have the resources they need to respond efficiently and effectively in times of crisis,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response. “I saw first-hand, during the recent ice storms, how our community and the entire province is stronger when we have the capacity to come together to support each other and respond quickly when disaster strikes.”

Last year, 113 recipients received the 2023-24 Community Emergency Preparedness Grant.

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