The City of Brampton has received significant funding from the Ford government since council’s decision to become the only Peel Region municipality to opt-in on allowing retail recreational cannabis stores within city limits earlier this year.

According to provincial records, Brampton has received a total of $601,383 in three payments from the Ontario Cannabis Legalization Implementation Fund (OCLIF) since recreational cannabis became legal on Oct. 17, 2018.

“Earlier this year, the government provided municipalities with $30 million, and set aside $10 million to address costs from unforeseen circumstances related to the legalization of recreational cannabis with priority given to municipalities that did not opt-out of hosting cannabis retail stores,” read a release from the province on Aug. 2, adding the funding is allocated based on population and whether a municipality opened its borders to cannabis shops or not.

Neighbouring Mississauga and Caledon, which both opted-out, have received significantly less funding for the same purposes.

Mississauga only received initial provincial transfers of $313,309 and $5,000, while Caledon received payments of $29,759 and $5,000. Neither received any funding in the third round of OCLIF transfers.

Those municipalities’ decision to opt-out also meant the Region of Peel only received funding based on Brampton’s population and contribution.

The region, which oversees policing in all three communities, has received $944,450 to date. That amount could have been significantly larger had all three communities opted-in.

“Lower-tier and upper-tier municipalities received a 50/50 split of the allocations made on a per household basis. In the second and third payments, upper-tier municipalities received funding in relation to opt-out decisions made by the lower-tier municipality. If a lower tier municipality opted-out, the upper tier municipality did not receive funding on a per household basis in relation to that municipality,” said Ministry of Finance spokesperson, Scott Blodgett.

Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie said her city still has some concerns but may one day allow retail cannabis.

“Met with Finance Minister @RodPhillips01 to ask that cities be given greater control over where cannabis stores are located. #Mississauga may decide to opt-in in the future, but we need more of a say in how these businesses operate in our city. #AMOConf19,” she said in a tweet on Aug. 20.