Toronto area mayors to meet to discuss funding cleanup from December ice storm

MISSISSAUGA, Ont.—Officials from municipalities affected by last month’s devastating ice storm are to meet in Mississauga, Ont., today to discuss funding the cleanup.

Councils in many municipalities—including Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon—have voted to ask the province that they be declared disaster areas.

The storm impacted dozens of communities and officials have said the total bill from the affected municipalities could top $250 million, including $106 million for Toronto alone.

The ice storm downed trees and hydro lines, cutting power to hundreds of thousands for days and stalling road and air travel.

Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Linda Jeffrey also will attend today’s meeting and Premier Kathleen Wynne says Jeffrey’s ministry has been in touch with all affected municipalities.

The ministry has already begun the process of assessing the requests of municipalities that have contacted it seeking disaster relief.

Toronto has requested that the cleanup costs be split among the city, provincial and federal governments.

Public Safety Canada says requests for financial help must first go to the provincial government, which decides if disaster assistance is warranted and how much it can reasonably pay.

The province can then go to the federal government to seek funding under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements if eligible expenditures meet the programs criteria.