The Ontario government is providing $5.5 million to 22 small municipalities affected by significant weather events in 2022. Funding will assist with the clearing of downed trees and other debris as well as forest regeneration to protect against future weather risks like forest fires.
“We heard from small municipalities hardest hit by last year’s extreme weather that they need support to address public safety concerns,” said Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. “We are ensuring municipalities are able to recover from these weather events and build a strong Ontario.”
In 2022, parts of southern and eastern Ontario experienced severe weather events – including a damaging thunderstorm in May and tornado in July – damaging public roads and forest access roads, as well as thousands of hectares of Crown and private forests.
“This funding will help restore these communities – providing peace of mind for their residents, and protecting the well-being of their forests,” said Ric Bresee, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. “Together, they withstood the ordeal of a natural disaster on their own doorstep, and we’re taking action to ensure their future safety.”
The funding is being provided on a one-time basis for municipalities that sought financial support to assist with clean up and forest regeneration efforts.
“Our residents have been living under an umbrella of fear since the July 24th tornado worrying about potential forest fires and flooding,” said Don DeGenova, Mayor of Tweed. “Tweed Municipal Council and staff worked tirelessly with the province for assistance on behalf of those residents. Minister Smith and our MPP Ric Bresee have answered that call and we are extremely grateful for this support, which will help alleviate some of our concerns.”
For information about how to be prepared for different emergencies, visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/emergency-preparedness
Quick Facts
- Flooding is the costliest natural hazard in terms of property damage in Ontario.
- Wildland fire season in Ontario runs from April 1 to October 31. Ontario is an internationally recognized leader in wildland fire management
