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Ontario Boosting Local Emergency Preparedness in Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound

Province investing $100,000 in two emergency preparedness projects in Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 7th, 2025

OWEN SOUND, ONT. —The Ontario government is taking action to protect the province by investing $100,000 in Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound to prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Funding is being delivered through the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant, which strengthens emergency preparedness by funding local emergency management training, purchasing critical equipment, and improving infrastructure to make communities more resilient.

The funding is allocated towards two projects, as follows:

OrganizationLocationAmountProject
Town of South Bruce Peninsula  Wiarton and area  $50,000To assist with purchasing a trailer and firefighting equipment to assist with wildland fire response
Saugeen First Nation #29  Saugeen First Nation  $50,000To purchase a backup generator for the community’s emergency warming centre.

“Community emergency response is critically important, now more than ever,” says Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound MPP Paul Vickers. “These critical infrastructure investments will help make sure our communities are prepared for winter storms and wildfires, two issues that have dominated weather headlines in our province in recent years.”

“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.”

“The conditions contributing to wildfires are becoming more severe each year. Provincial support is allowing us to upgrade our tools and training so we can respond more effectively and work closely with other municipal and First Nations fire services to protect the region,” noted Tim Wilson, Fire Chief for the Town of South Bruce Peninsula. Mayor Jay Kirkland noted “With limited evacuation routes on the Bruce Peninsula and rising wildfire risk, this project is essential. The funding will strengthen our response and help us support neighbouring communities. We thank the province for their support in allowing us to invest in equipment and training.”

This year, 114 recipients 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.

In addition to the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant, the Ontario government recently announced that it is building a new Ontario Emergency Preparedness and Response Headquarters that will support public safety and disaster response measures, including Ontario Corps.

QUICK FACTS

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

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Joseph D’Angelo
Minister’s Office
Joseph.D’Angelo2@ontario.ca