Ontario’s Rural Communities Can Now Apply for Up to $250,000 in Funding
The Ontario government is offering one-time financial support through the Municipal Ice Storm Assistance (MISA) Program to help municipalities recover from the March 2025 ice storm. This program is designed to offset extraordinary operating and capital costs related to the storm’s impact on municipal services, infrastructure, and emergency response.
If your municipality was affected, now is the time to act. Submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) by July 28, 2025, is mandatory to participate in this program.
Who Is Eligible?
To be considered for funding, a municipality must:
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Be located within the ice storm–affected area (see impact map)
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Have incremental costs directly tied to the 2025 ice storm (i.e., costs above regular budgets)
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Submit an Expression of Interest survey by July 28, 2025
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Pass a council resolution requesting assistance
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Submit a complete application package by October 31, 2025
Eligible Costs
Only incremental costs, those that would not have been incurred if the storm had not occurred, will be considered. These may include:
Operating Costs:
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Emergency debris cleanup
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Setting up warming centres or emergency shelters
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Public safety and accessibility measures
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Staff overtime and emergency rentals
Capital Costs:
Other Eligible Items:
Cost-Share Funding Breakdown
MISA follows a sliding-scale reimbursement model:
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75% provincial contribution for eligible expenses up to 3% of the municipality’s own-purpose taxation
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95% contribution for eligible expenses exceeding that 3% threshold
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Municipalities are responsible for the remaining share (25% or 5%, respectively)
Key Deadlines
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Expression of Interest Deadline: July 28, 2025
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Full Application Deadline: October 31, 2025
How GrantMatch Can Help
With short timelines and extensive documentation requirements, municipalities are encouraged to act quickly. GrantMatch can assist your team with:
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Verifying cost eligibility
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Compiling compliant documentation
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Preparing and submitting the application package
Our funding professionals specialize in disaster recovery claims and will ensure your submission stands out.
Get Started Now
If your community faced increased costs due to the March 2025 ice storm, don’t delay submit your EOI before July 28 and connect with GrantMatch today to begin the application process.
We’re here to help your municipality recover stronger, faster!
