Ontario Helps More Municipalities Prepare for Extreme Weather

Additional funding will help rebuild roads and bridges to a higher standard

News.ontario.ca
Feb. 25, 2021

The Ontario government is providing up to $2 million in additional funding to extend the Build Back Better pilot project through 2023, and help eligible municipalities rebuild infrastructure that was damaged by extreme weather to a higher standard. This investment is part of Ontario's Municipal Recovery Assistance (MDRA) program and will better protect communities from the impacts of natural disasters.

"As we approach the spring flooding season, it is important that we extend the Build Back Better pilot to help Ontario's municipalities prevent future damage to their roads and bridges," said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. "This funding will help keep individuals and families safe and better prepare municipalities for extreme weather events."

Under Build Back Better, municipalities are eligible to receive up to 15 per cent above the estimated cost of rebuilding damaged infrastructure to make it more resilient to extreme weather. Municipalities can use the additional funding to make improvements such as raising roads to ensure better overland flow of water, improving the columns or footings of a bridge, or enlarging the size of ditches and catch basins to increase the capacity to hold water.

Quick Facts

• In 2019, Ontario invested $1 million to launch the Build Back Better pilot project for one year in response to the devastating spring floods that impacted communities across the province.
• Learn more about Ontario’s flooding strategy, and the actions being taken to better protect people and property from the effects of flooding.
• The MDRA program helps municipalities cover extraordinary costs incurred during a natural disaster, including damage to essential property or infrastructure like bridges, roads and public buildings.
• Eligible expenses under the MDRA program may include operating and capital costs that are over and above regular municipal budgets and are directly linked to the disaster.