Ontario activates disaster relief funding for people affected by flooding

The provincial government has activated a program that will help cover uninsured costs for people and businesses affected by the massive Ottawa River flood.

The order to implement the program, called Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians, for the ongoing flood was signed off on by Municipal Affairs Minister Bill Mauro on Friday, and the City of Ottawa and other affected municipalities were notified.

It means homeowners, tenants, small businesses, farmers and notfor-profit organizations with flood damage or emergency expenses not covered by insurance can make a claim to the provincial government to get financial assistance.

Even people who had previously declined overland flood insurance may still be eligible for funding, depending on the government’s assessment of the claim.

The funding is only available for a primary residence, not for secondary residences or cottages. It also does not cover sewer backups, though there’s an exception for low-income households.

A statement from Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said he’s “pleased that residents impacted by the 2017 Ottawa River Flood will now have access to information about the financial support available from the Province as they move to rebuild their homes and properties.”

The province has created maps showing the areas along the Ottawa River where people are automatically eligible to be covered by the program. The maps are available at www.mah.gov.on.ca/ Page15359.aspx .

Within Ottawa, the areas include parts of Cumberland, Britannia Bay and a broad stretch of land from Constance Bay to Fitzroy Harbour.

Parts of Clarence-Rockland, Champlain, Alfred and Plantagenet are also included in the coverage areas.

However, people who live outside the indicated areas can still make a claim if they can show they were affected by overland Ottawa River flooding.

The program guidelines and the application form for making a claim are online at ontario.ca/ DisasterAssistance.

The province had already activated this program for the County of Renfrew, including the City of Pembroke, on May 5 after widespread flooding had affected residents in the area starting in late April. That program is still operational throughout the current flood.