A dozen area municipalities, including Fort Frances, are receiving more than $1.68 million from the provincial government to help pay for damages incurred during last June’s flooding.
Municipal Affairs and Housing minister David Young made the announcement Friday during the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association conference here.
“The Eves government is committed to helping communities recover from the disaster damages,” said Young. “This additional funding helps fulfill our commitment— providing needed assistance to affected communities.”^This assistance, which was applied for through the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program (ODRAP), brings the area’s relief funding total to $3.1 million.
“I’m proud of how quickly our government came to the aid of municipalities in the flooded areas,” remarked Northern Development and Mines minister Jim Wilson.
“Together with local government leaders, we are getting to the job of building strong and prosperous northern communities,” he added.
Rainy River is receiving the bulk of the funding ($540,489), followed by Chapple ($228,277), Machin ($213,010), Dawson ($154,696), Lake of the Woods ($131,073), and Fort Frances ($101,177).
Rounding out the recipients were Ignace ($75,457), Alberton ($63,552), Morley ($59,656), La Vallee ($57,949), Emo ($49,194), and Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls ($8,251).
While some of these municipalities may receive future funding, this second payment will be the last for Alberton, Dawson, Emo, Lake of the Woods, La Vallee, and Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls.
Atikokan, which received funding last September along with the 12 other municipalities, did not get any this time around.
Extensive areas in the region experienced severe flooding last June that cause serious damage to local infrastructure.
The province declared the entire Rainy River District—as well as three municipalities in Kenora District—a disaster area and therefore eligible for ODRAP funding.
Last September, the 13 eligible municipalities received a total of $1.5 million in interim payments to cover public damages.
The provincial government also made financial assistance available to individuals, farmers, and small business who suffered uninsured damages. ODRAP covers uninsured private losses at up to 90 percent.
The Northwestern Ontario disaster relief committee has processed all approved claims and paid out more than $3.5 million, including almost $500,000 in advance payments for those in immediate need.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
