In 2006, the Province of Ontario entered into four funding agreement programs with Haldimand County to fund specific programs that were related to the former Douglas Creek Estates (DCE) in Caledonia. The funding agreement was put in place to cover some of the direct financial impacts the county has faced in relation to the native land claims protest that began in February 2006.
The first program was related to business recovery, including funding provided directly to affected businesses, as well as to fund some specific Haldimand County marketing programs, website enhancements and other economic development type activities. According to a staff report the first program has been fully funded by the Province. Karen General, Manager of Corporate Services informed council that approximately $2.3 million dollars was previously paid by the Province for the first program that was finalized some time ago.
The remaining three programs being funded by the Province are; the DCE Estates general and state of emergency costs that was capped by the Province at $1,150,000.00, the DCE Counselling program (Community Connect) that was capped at $100,000.00 and the DCE Estates Residents Assistance Program that was capped at $450,000.00.
According to the staff report to Haldimand Council last Monday; staff is requesting additional funding from the Province over and above the maximum grant funding originally put in place. There is an approximate $151,000.00 shortfall in the state of emergency costs. The staff report goes on to say that if the Province does not fund these additional costs the residents of Haldimand County will responsible.
In addition to the funding request, staff in the same report to council reported that the Province is currently disputing an amount of $341,648.00 that has already been paid to Haldimand County. These over paid funds to the county represent two factors, the over-sizing of services for DCE and building permit and development charges that have been refunded by the county. The Province has requested these funds be returned.
Staff requested that the final grant submission be forwarded with the endorsement of council. The vote was unanimous.