Ontario Investing $5 Million to Increase Local Emergency Preparedness and Response
Press Release
March 20, 2026
Province investing in emergency equipment and training to protect communities
HALTON HILLS—The Ontario government is investing $5 million through the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant (CEPG) to empower local communities to build their emergency response capabilities. The province is awarding up to $50,000 to 115 recipients to purchase emergency preparedness supplies, equipment and services, delivering on its plan to protect Ontario communities and improve resiliency in the face of emergencies and natural disasters.
“Our government is strengthening the readiness of local communities and organizations to better prepare for any type of emergency,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response. “Whether it’s modernizing an emergency operations centre, like here in the Town of Halton Hills, or investing in a generator to power a warming centre during a winter storm, these investments help to protect communities across Ontario.”
Minister Dunlop made the announcement alongside representatives from the Town of Halton Hills which is receiving $30,428 to modernize its Emergency Operations Centre with an audio-visual conferencing solution, portable tables and chairs and equipment that can be used to establish it in temporary or alternate locations if needed. The funding will also be used to deliver annual Incident Management System (IMS) training and exercises and purchase vests.
The CEPG supports small- to medium-sized municipalities, local services boards, First Nations communities, Tribal Councils and Indigenous service organizations. Since the program launched in 2023, the province has invested $15 million to provide 342 recipients with grants.
Other supplies being purchased by recipients of round three of the CEPG include satellite communications equipment, water purification systems, chainsaws, emergency shelters and more. Funding will also be used to deliver exercises and training and develop public education resources.
Quick Facts
- Recipients were selected through a rigorous and competitive review process. To ensure more communities could benefit from the CEPG, past recipients were not eligible to apply.
- This is part of the government’s $110 million investment in emergency preparedness in Ontario.
Quotes
“Our government was elected to protect Ontario and that’s exactly what this investment is about. These grants will make a tremendous difference for smaller communities like the ones I represent.”
– Joseph Racinsky
MPP Wellington-Halton Hills
“The province’s investment in our municipality recognizes the importance of emergency preparedness at the local level. We are very pleased that the Town’s application for funding to support our emergency preparedness program was successful. This investment will strengthen our ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies—whether that’s severe weather, flooding, extended power outages or other events that can impact our residents and our community.”
– Ann Lawlor
Mayor, Town of Halton Hills
Additional Resources
Related Topics
Courts, justice and law
Ontario’s laws and related information about our legal system, emergency services, the Ontario Provincial Police and victim services. Learn more
Media Contacts
Nastassia Varela
Minister’s Office
Nastassia.Varela@ontario.ca
MEPR Communications
Communications Branch
MEPR.media@ontario.ca
ILR4
