York Region requests disaster relief funding

Vaughan Weekly
January 15, 2014
By Angela Gismondi

York Region has put forward a resolution requesting provincial funding for disaster relief relating to the damage caused by the recent ice storm.

The resolution was moved by Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti and seconded by Richmond Hill Mayor David Barrow at a special council meeting Thursday.

York Region, like many other municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area, was hit by a severe ice storm just before Christmas. Due to the storm, which began on Sunday, Dec. 20 and continued until late December, the Region’s nine municipalities have experienced substantial damage to municipal property and infrastructure and have received reported losses of private damage, the resolution reads.

The resolution states that in the event the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing declares a disaster area in the GTA for the purposes of the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program (ODRAP), York Region council requests that the Region and its local municipalities be declared a disaster area as well, given the extent of the damage experienced across the Region.

According to the program’s website, ODRAP is an assistance program designed to help municipalities, individuals, farmers, small business and non-profit organizations get back on their feet after a natural disaster. It is intended to cover the costs of returning essential items to pre-disaster condition for people who have suffered damage in designated disaster areas. As for the Region’s request, the funding would apply to damage to public infrastructure.

If the Province does not declare a disaster area, the Region’s resolution requests that the Province instead consider providing funding related to the severe ice storm costs from sources other than the ODRAP.

The resolution also states that should the Minister declare a disaster area regarding the private component of the program, Council will immediately, under the authority of the program, appoint members to a disaster relief committee to administer the program.

The resolution carried.

Vaughan MPP Steven Del Duca said a number of municipalities have requested disaster relief funding from the Provincial government.

“The Province is aware that many municipalities are dealing with challenges,” said Del Duca. “Each request will be considered carefully.

We are not able to say anything concretely at this time as to whether or not funding will be provided.”