Monday, September 22, 2025
The Ontario government is providing more than half a million dollars to help Strong and Joly townships recover from flooding that washed out local roads and culverts in June 2024.
The province said it will deliver up to $555,000 through the Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance program, which helps municipalities cover extraordinary costs linked to natural disasters. Strong will receive $492,000 while Joly will get $63,000.
On June 23 and 24, 2024, the two municipalities were hit with up to 85 millimetres of rain in a short period, triggering sudden flooding, road washouts and infrastructure damage that forced some closures.
“Our government is stepping up to support our municipalities facing extensive damage due to unexpected natural disasters,” said Graydon Smith, Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, said the funding will help ease the burden on local governments as they repair critical infrastructure.
Strong Mayor Tim Bryson said the flooding created “significant challenges” for residents and services, adding the provincial funding “provides much-needed relief” as the township rebuilds.
Joly Mayor Brian McCabe said the financial support offers reassurance to smaller municipalities that struggle to recover from major events. “This assistance makes a real difference, not only in repairing the damage from last year’s flooding, but also in giving our council and residents peace of mind that we’re not alone when challenges like this arise,” he said.
Under the program rules, municipalities can apply for recovery assistance if disaster-related costs exceed three per cent of their annual taxation levy.
