Opposition MPS, MPPS pushing for measures to control local flooding

Flooding concerns across Ontario with spring approaching have opposition MPPS and MPS demanding government action at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill.

On Thursday, MPP Percy Hatfield (Ndp—windsor-tecumseh) rose in the house to ask provincial Natural Resources and Forestry Minister John Yakabuski if he would reverse cuts made to provincial flooding response.

“Flooding on our lakes and rivers has turned many dreams into nightmares in Southwestern Ontario,” said Hatfield.

“A state of emergency has been declared along Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-kent. Homeowners have been evacuated — they don’t know if they’ll ever be allowed to return.

“This government slashed funding for flood response in their previous budget by 50 per cent. With your next budget coming out this month, will you reverse those cuts?”

Last week, Yakabuski released the government’s flooding strategy without any increase in funding, despite the government’s flooding expert calling for new funding.

“The minister is ignoring his special adviser and all the experts — with an empty strategy and zero funding to address the urgent need to protect families in Essex and across Southwestern Ontario from the growing risk of flooding,” MPP Taras Natyshak (Ndp—essex) said in a news release.

In the legislature, Hatfield listed a number of areas that have experienced flooding issues, such as the banks of Lake Erie falling into the water at Wheatley Provincial Park, a dike breach at Hillman Marsh in Leamington and the closure of a street in Belle River.

“With the climate crisis in Ontario in full swing, this government seems ready to cover its eyes and pretend this problem will fix itself,” Hatfield said. “Well it won’t. And my constituents deserve better.

Meanwhile in Ottawa, the Ontario Conservative caucus, including Essex MP Chris Lewis, have written a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau demanding the government bring forth measures for flood mitigation and an update on its state of preparedness.

“Our MPS have heard from many anxious residents, business owners and local representatives about the rising water levels and the increased flooding risk along the shorelines across Ontario,” reads the letter, signed by 26 MPS.

“The water levels across all the Great Lakes remain near or above record levels . ... The massive damages to communities, businesses, infrastructure and the economy and the eventual emergency evacuations in many cases imposed great financial and emotional tolls on our fellow citizens.”

This government seems ready to cover its eyes.