Province Investing $10 Million to Help Ontario Corps Protect Ontario

TORONTO — The Ontario government is investing $10 million in emergency preparedness grants to strengthen the response capabilities of Ontario Corps partners around the province and ensure they can get boots on the ground quickly in case of an emergency. This funding is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by ensuring communities are better prepared to respond to local emergencies and have critical resources like debris removal tools and machinery, flood barriers and drones deployed at a moment’s notice.

“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is protecting Ontario from all threats – from wildland fires to flooding, ice storms or whatever else may come our way,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response. “With 13 participating Ontario Corps partners so far, we’re investing in made-in-Ontario solutions to support local emergency responders as soon as we’re needed.”

The province is also welcoming 13 partner organizations to Ontario Corps, with more expected to join. Partners include: Attachment and Trauma Treatment Centre for Healing (ATTCH) Niagara, Feed Ontario, GlobalMedic, Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex, Independent First Nations Alliance, St. John Ambulance, Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres, Kenora Chiefs Advisory – Ogimaawabiitong, Ontario Search and Rescue Volunteer Association (OSARVA), Ontario 211, Radio Amateurs of Canada, The Salvation Army and Team Rubicon Canada.

Ontario Corps brings a province-wide network of skilled professionals and highly trained volunteers that can be mobilized quickly to help communities hit hard by emergencies. Items partners have already used grants to purchase include emergency food kits, GPS devices, satellite phones, canteen trucks, portable shelters, training volunteers for drone piloting and more.

During the ice storm that left thousands of Ontarians in the dark and cold earlier this year, Ontario Corps partners were deployed, volunteering over 6,000 hours, providing tree-clearing services and supporting evacuation reception centres, providing over 3,700 meals and food hampers, and conducting over 4,100 wellness checks.

To join Ontario Corps, visit: Become a Volunteer - Ontario Corps Volunteer Registration Portal.

Quick Facts

• Premier Ford announced the launch of Ontario Corps on December 13, 2024.

• Ontario Corps resources are coordinated and deployed by the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC) at the request of a municipality or First Nations community.

• Through Ontario Corps, the government can deploy specialized equipment and personnel anywhere across Ontario within 24 to 72 hours to help support community response efforts.

• In May 2025, the government re-introduced the Emergency Management Modernization Act (EMMA) to enhance public safety and disaster response measures, including by making Ontario Corps a key function of emergency responses in the province.

  
  

Quotes

"Our partnership with the Ontario Government has significantly enhanced The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services’ ability to deliver critical emergency social service support across the province. Through the Ontario Corps, we have grown our network of trained volunteers and enhanced our ability to deliver vital support to communities in crisis. Just as importantly, this collaboration has deepened our ties with other emergency response organizations, creating a stronger, more coordinated provincial response that ensures timely, compassionate support for Ontarians when needed most."

- Major Rick Zelinsky

Director of Emergency Disaster Services Ontario Division, The Salvation Army

"At Habitat for Humanity, our commitment goes beyond building homes—we stand with communities before, during, and after times of crisis. Through our new emergency preparedness and response program, piloted in Windsor-Essex, we’re proud to support a province-wide effort to strengthen community resilience. We fully support Ontario’s investment in preparedness and are honoured to stand alongside other Ontario Corps partners building a safer, more responsive province."

- Fiona Coughlin

CEO, Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex

"As an Ontario Corps partner, Feed Ontario can now respond to acute emergencies faster, more efficiently, and better equipped with the training and food supplies needed to make a real difference. In the past two years, we have helped create more than 9,000 emergency food hampers through this incredible partnership that allows us to put our expertise to work alongside trusted allies, ensuring that Ontarians are supported when they need it most."

- Carolyn Stewart

CEO of Feed Ontario

"Friendship Centre's have been delivering frontline emergency services to Indigenous communities across Ontario for decades. We're glad to see the government of Ontario recognize this longstanding work; and as an Ontario Corps partner, the OFIFC will continue to support the Friendship Centre movement in ensuring Indigenous-led, culturally safe services are available when our communities need them most."

- Sean Longboat

Executive Director, Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendships Centres

"At ATTCH Niagara, we witness how trauma impacts individuals and communities daily, especially in times of crisis. This partnership empowers us to extend our trauma-specialized expertise and support to the province's emergency preparedness and response efforts. Together, we are strengthening the capacity to respond effectively and compassionately, ensuring that those affected by emergencies receive the care they deserve."

- Lori Gill

Clinical Director, Attachment and Trauma Treatment Centre for Healing (ATTCH) Niagara

"Radio Amateurs of Canada is proud to be a trusted partner in strengthening emergency preparedness and response across Canada. Amateur Radio operators have played a critical role in providing reliable communication during emergencies, both nationally and internationally, ensuring communities stay connected when traditional networks are disrupted. We look forward to continuing our collaboration to support the safety and resilience of Ontarians in times of crisis."

- Allan Boyd

President of Radio Amateurs of/du Canada

"Ontario Search and Rescue Volunteer Association is honored to be a recipient of funding through Ontario's Emergency Readiness and Capabilities Fund. As a proud Ontario Corps partner, this support significantly enhances the training and capabilities of our dedicated volunteer members, empowering us to respond more effectively to emergencies across Ontario."

- Emilie Kissler

Vice-President OSARVA

"211 is an easy-to-remember and easy-to-access information channel in times of emergency or disaster. Our 211 teams provide a warm voice and reliable information to those impacted – and the use of 211 relieves pressure on frontline responders on the ground. We are very proud to be an Ontario Corps partner, working alongside our NGO partners, municipalities and the Ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Response to help ensure a coordinated and effective response to emergency situations in Ontario."

- Karen Milligan

Ontario 211 Services

"Team Rubicon Canada is proud to work with the Ontario Corps in our shared mission to support Ontarians in times of disaster. Through our combined efforts, we are able to bring rapid and critical aid and relief to those who need it most."

- Tim Kenney

COO of Team Rubicon Canada

"We are proud to support the Ontario Corps initiative and are committed to working collaboratively to strengthen emergency response capacity across the province. Partnerships like this are key to ensuring that communities, especially those most vulnerable, receive the timely and effective support they need in times of crisis."

- Serena Kenny

Social Emergency Manager, Kenora Chiefs Advisory

"St. John Ambulance Ontario is proud to stand alongside the Ontario government as we collectively work to strengthen our capacity to respond to and recover from disasters and emergencies and build resilient communities. We look forward to continuing our collaboration and making significant strides in enhancing emergency preparedness and response efforts across the province."

- Brian Cole

CEO, St. John Ambulance Ontario