Toronto, ON—In response to increasing flood risks exacerbated by climate change, the federal government and the City of Toronto have announced a joint investment of more than $323 million to modify the Black Creek and Lavender Creek channels in the Rockcliffe-Smythe area. This initiative aims to protect the community from the impacts of future storms.
The investment, announced by Minister Ahmed Hussen, Mayor Olivia Chow, and Councillor Frances Nunziata, comes after recent flooding caused significant damage in the area. The project will include the construction of a new flood protection wall, several bridges, and the replacement of culverts. Additionally, upgrades will be made to the local sewer system and roads to further enhance the community’s resilience.
“The Rockcliffe-Smythe area is extremely vulnerable to the impacts of more frequent and severe storms,” said Minister Hussen. “Recent flooding demonstrates the need for a robust and improved infrastructure to protect residents, property, and the community. Working with the City of Toronto, the federal government is making a significant investment that will help to mitigate the impacts of climate change-caused disasters, and build a more resilient future for residents.”
The federal government is contributing over $129.3 million to the project through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF), while the City of Toronto is investing over $193.7 million. The DMAF program is designed to support projects that enhance public infrastructure’s ability to withstand natural disasters and climate-related risks.
Mayor Olivia Chow emphasized the importance of the partnership in addressing the community’s concerns: “Each time it rains, residents of this community are worried their basements might flood and their homes might be damaged. By investing in flood protection, we can mitigate the costly impacts of flooding on people’s homes and our public infrastructure. Together, we can help make the Rockcliffe-Smythe community more resilient to the impacts of climate change.”
Councillor Frances Nunziata, representing York South—Weston, highlighted the emotional toll that past floods have taken on the community. “In the wake of floods that have devastated countless families, the long-overdue mitigation strategies bring a long-awaited sense of hope and relief to our community. This project will make our neighborhood safer and more resilient in the face of climate change for years to come.”
This initiative is part of a broader federal commitment to disaster mitigation and climate adaptation. Since 2018, the government has allocated over $3.8 billion to the DMAF, including $489.1 million from the Adaptation Action Plan, released alongside Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy in November 2022. The strategy overall commits $1.6 billion in new federal funding to help Canadian communities address both immediate and future climate risks.
The modifications to Black Creek and Lavender Creek are expected to deliver significant economy-wide benefits, with every dollar invested in adaptation potentially returning $13 to $15 in future savings. The project not only aims to protect homes and businesses but also to ensure the long-term safety and resilience of the Rockcliffe-Smythe area.
