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Province's Flood Aid Map Angers Ottawa Residents
19 Jul
Summary
- Financial aid for storm victims excludes many Ottawa neighborhoods.
- Residents express frustration over perceived arbitrary aid boundaries.
- City councillors are demanding the province reconsider the coverage area.
Some Ottawa residents affected by severe Canada Day storms are expressing disappointment that they do not qualify for provincial financial aid. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing recently defined the eligible area for the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program, which helps with cleanup and repairs.
The program's coverage map includes areas near Graham Creek and Stillwater Creek. However, residents in neighborhoods such as Crystal Beach, which experienced significant basement flooding and damage from over 150 millimetres of rain, have been excluded.
Merv Sullivan, a long-time resident of Crystal Beach, stated that the disaster's impact did not respect the defined boundaries and questioned why his neighborhood was omitted. Paul Maloney, also from Crystal Beach, echoed these sentiments, noting that maps don't always reflect the reality on the ground.
City councillors representing affected areas have voiced strong opposition. Bay ward Coun. Theresa Kavanagh called the omission a "huge mistake" and urged the Ontario government to reconsider. Coun. Laine Johnson from College ward is seeking explanations from the province regarding the criteria used for the DRAO activation area.
As of the report, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing had not responded to requests for further information.
