Town hands out community grants

Town council has allocated its community grants for 2026 and spent the same amount of money as last year.

As noted in the Dec. 10 issue of the River Town Times, the town is still dividing the $51,547 that was spent in 2025 among the same groups in 2026. With $2,000 already having been pre-committed to 2nd Amherstburg Scouting, it meant slight reductions to most of the others.

Amherstburg Community Services (ACS) will go from $15,000 in 2025 to $13,612.50 in 2026. The Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission will drop from $20,000 to $18,150, the Amherstburg Freedom Museum will drop from $8,500 to $7,713.75 and the Park House Museum will go from $10,000 to $9,075.

Christ Anglican Church will get $1,000 for maintenance of the historic cemetery that surrounds the church, up from $547 last year.

Mayor Michael Prue noted they received applications from all groups, but also pointed out all but one missed the deadline. All did receive consideration for funding.

Councillor Molly Allaire said during Dec. 9 budget deliberations she did not want to raise the base budget, questioning using tax dollars to help the groups.

Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb said during the first night of budget deliberations, the town made difficult decisions and this was another difficult decision.

“We need to keep this budget as affordable as possible,” said Gibb, saying $51,547 should be the “upper limit.”

Gibb called Allaire’s motion to keep the donations $51,547 “responsible, but it is also compassionate.”

Councillor Peter Courney said every group is worthy, and made a suggestion on how to divide the cash. Allaire said she wanted Christ Church to get $1,000 so they can maintain a historic asset, adding her own suggestions to reduce the total.

Town council would agree on proportional reductions so the remaining groups that applied last year would get funding this year only at an equitable rate.

“We would reduce everything in a percentage so it’s equal across the board,” said CAO Valerie Critchley.

Councillor Diane Pouget said she didn’t want to take money away from places like the mission, ACS and others.

“They are in desperate need for it,” said Pouget. “People that have never, ever used the food bank before are now using it. The same thing with the mission. Those people are desperate. I can’t take any money away from community services and the mission,” she said. “Those are two I really don’t want to touch.”

Pouget also wanted Christ Church to get what they asked fulfilled.

Councillor Linden Crain made the motion during the community grant debate to reduce the amount for most of the organizations by the same percentage.

“I think it’s fair,” said Crain. “We’re using taxation dollars to provide funding for non-profits and charities. They do great work in our community. They are receiving a significant amount of funds so we can work within the base budget. I think it’s a fair request.”

Bryerswood Youth Camp will not get funding this year and that caught the attention of Councillor Don McArthur.

“We’re basing our decision on who got money that year? Is that correct? Just because Bryerswood didn’t get it last year means they’re not worthy of getting it this year without looking at their business case and their request? We’re not even considering it because they didn’t apply last year,” he said. “That doesn’t seem like good governance. That doesn’t seem like a fair program because it means the die has already been cast and they had no chance. We’re not even looking what they’re asking for.”

Prue said it was his understanding, when the community grant program was started, it was designed for community services like places that give out food or for historical causes. He didn’t recall giving money to recreational activities, but he did remember giving money to Bryerswood one year to help cover

their taxes.

Clerk Kevin Fox said there was an administrative policy recommendation not to fund recreational programs. He said the town supports recreation program in other ways, adding the town has also supported gymnastics and cycling causes in the past.

Prue added he has given his county council salary increase to all of these organizations.

“I do believe people have a responsibility, whether it’s in this budget or otherwise, to fund them. I do know all of these organizations do pretty good fundraising on their own,” said Prue.

The mayor added “the question comes down to Bryerswood,” noting he has given them money personally.

“I think that’s a responsibility I have, not the town,” he said. “If people want them to have some money, the people around this table and people in the community can certainly donate. I know they’re happy for any donation, no matter how small.”

Prue said they are all charities. He asked if it is the town’s responsibility, and said he still thinks it’s a good thing to do. Allaire said people can easily make a donation to all of these causes, and the charities make it easy with websites and opportunities to donate.

“I have no shame in our decision tonight and I do want to look at it in the future,” she said.

Allaire put forth a notice of motion near the end of budget deliberations that would have administration prepare a report on the possible phasing out of community grants from the budget over a five-year period, including proposed timelines, financial impacts and a “community plan” for informing previous and current grant recipients.

That motion was debated Dec. 15 and rejected. See the related story at https://www.rivertowntimes.com/post/town-council-opts-to-keep-considering-community-grants.

Town council completed budget deliberations Dec. 9 with a total tax increase of 2.86 per cent.

By Ron Giofu