Vaughan to seek disaster relief for December ice storm

Citynews.ca
January 15, 2014

Another municipality is asking for disaster relief funding for the December 2013 ice storm.

On Tuesday, Vaughan city council passed a resolution requesting funding from the Ontario government. It wants the province to declare the city a disaster area so that it can apply for funding under the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program (ODRAP).

“Given the substantial damage to municipal property and infrastructure, the City of Vaughan is asking the province for assistance,” Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua said in a release.

“The ice storm and its after-effects will be felt for some time to come in our community and we require help from the province to cover the costs of the damage.”

The city estimates the ice storm will cost $21 million.

Bevilacqua said 18,900 damaged trees need to be attended to and that 18,900 damaged trees require replacement.

Crews will be continuing their cleanup efforts - removing debris from fallen trees on roads, parks and other areas - in January and February.

Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, Caledon and North Perth have already asked for their municipalities to be declared disaster areas.

Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion is hosting a meeting of GTA mayors on Friday to discuss the ice storm damage issue.