GTA mayors to work together on storm aid request

Richmond Hill Liberal
January 10, 2014
By Kim Zarzour

Mayors of southern Ontario municipalities affected by the December ice storm have been invited by Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion to discuss a co-ordinated approach to clean-up assistance at a meeting next Friday.

The mayor of Mississauga, where cleanup and recovery has been estimated to cost $25 million, will host the meeting to work out a joint appeal for financial aid from the province.

The pre-Christmas storm wiped out trees, power lines and left more than half a million homes without power across the GTA.

While there has been no tally yet for York Region cities and towns, it is believed the total bill from all municipalities affected will exceed $250 million.

The Region of York voted Thursday, in a motion put forward by Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti and seconded by Richmond Hill Mayor Dave Barrow, to seek help for the from the province should the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing declare the GTA a natural disaster zone.

Mr. Barrow confirmed that he will be attending the Jan. 17 meeting hosted by Ms McCallion.

Toronto’s special council meeting to discuss storm compensation was cut short at 3:30 p.m. today.

The City of Markham held a similar meeting Wednesday to discuss the $13-million cost of cleanup.

Richmond Hill’s mayor has called a special ice storm meeting for Monday at 4:30 p.m. to receive a report on the storm damage from town staff.

The City of Vaughan plans to meet Tuesday at 11 a.m.