Government of Canada contributes to flood mitigation projects in Toronto
BRAMPTON, ON, Dec. 3, 2018 /CNW/ - Flooding is Canada's costliest and most frequent natural disaster. Today, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced $2.36 million in federal funding to the Province of Ontario to support work on eight projects under the National Disaster Mitigation Program to better plan for and protect against the effects of flooding.
The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is leading delivery on these eight projects. In collaboration with partners, including the Region of Peel, Region of York, City of Brampton and City of Toronto, the TRCA is contributing $2.36 million to implement these projects.
Combined, these projects will help protect 43,774 residents in surrounding communities from the dangers of flooding.
The Government of Canada is committed to working with provincial and territorial partners on a disaster relief approach that will allow us to better identify, plan for and reduce the impact of weather-related emergencies and natural disasters on Canadians.
Quotes
"Because of climate change, weather-related natural disasters are getting more severe, more frequent, more damaging and more expensive. We're determined to reduce the impacts of natural disasters on Canadians by building safer and more resilient communities. The projects announced today will help Toronto and its surrounding municipalities better prepare for and respond to floods."
? The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
"Keeping the people of Ontario safe is a responsibility our government takes seriously. Flood mitigation projects play an important role in protecting communities and reducing damage caused by extreme weather events. We are pleased to help the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority access funds through the National Disaster Mitigation Program."
? Steve Clark, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
"Reducing the risks from flooding in our region is one of TRCA's main responsibilities. Governments at all levels jointly face the challenge of more severe weather events coupled with the opportunity presented by planned growth and intensification in our communities. Today's funding announcement will help TRCA and its municipal partners take significant strides in reducing flood risk so people are safer, properties are better protected, and our communities are more resilient."
? John MacKenzie, Chief Executive Officer, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Quick Facts:
- The NDMP reflects an investment of $200 million over five years, of which $183 million is available for cost-shared, merit-based projects with provinces and territories to reduce the impacts of natural disasters. The Government of Canada cost-shares up to 50 per cent of eligible expenses for provincial projects and 75 per cent of eligible expenses for territorial projects. Provincial and territorial authorities may collaborate with, and redistribute funding to eligible entities such as municipal or other local governments.
- Since the launch of the NDMP in 2015, the NDMP has approved funding for 273 projects across Canada that are helping to build safer, more resilient communities.
- Through the NDMP, the Government of Canada is helping to address rising flood risks and costs, and build the foundation for informed investments that could reduce, or even negate, the effects of flood events. Funding is available for risk assessments, flood mapping, mitigation planning and small scale mitigation projects such as storm culverts.
- In addition to investing in provincial and territorial flood mitigation projects through the NDMP, the Government of Canada:
- is investing in public awareness activities and risk and resiliency tools like the Federal Flood Mapping Guidelines, to help all levels of government to make informed decisions around flood mitigation;
- has created a new $2 billion federal Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund to support the infrastructure required to deal with the effects of a changing climate; and
- is integrating climate resilience into the National Building Code and conducting research to factor climate resilience into the design of buildings.
- According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, insured damage in 2016 topped $4.9 billion ? passing the previous annual record of $3.2 billion set in 2013?and that the annual economic cost of disasters around the world has increased five-fold since the 1980s. Flooding damage has accounted for 80 per cent federal disaster assistance payments over the past 20 years.
- Studies have demonstrated that every dollar invested in mitigation generates a savings of six dollars in future disaster costs.
Associated Links
- National Disaster Mitigation Program
- FloodReady
- Federal Flood Mapping Guidelines
- Integrating climate resilience into the National Building Code
- Backgrounder
SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
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