Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

QUEEN’S PARK, TORONTO — Damn the flood of torpedoes aimed at the government, it’s full speed ahead for John Yakabuski, the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, who continues to defend Ford government actions in the wake of record water levels again in Parry Sound-Muskoka.

He said today that dams on the rivers “were designed and built to keep water levels high during the summer not to prevent flooding.”

In Question Period here Monday, MPP Norman Miller says he asked the minister what is being done to help those impacted by flooding in Muskoka and elsewhere in Ontario.

It was an opportunity for Yakabuski to reiterate, as had in a weekend statement, that the Provincial Emergency Operation Centre has been fully activated and is working with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, the Ministry of the Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Ministry of the Solicitor General.

The minister claimed that: “Contrary to comments by some, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry had prepared for a large run-off this spring.”

In that statement Yakabuski confirmed that “the ministry had drawn down Lake Muskoka further that usual to prepare for the spring thaw.”

He said: “There is however only so much that MNRF can do because the dams were designed and built to keep water levels high during the summer not to prevent flooding.

Miller said: “I have visited Bracebridge, Huntsville and Katrine to see the damage and meet with local officials.

“Bracebridge Mayor Graydon Smith, Huntsville Mayor Scott Aitchison and Armour Township Reeve Bob MacPhail are showing great leadership and doing everything they possibly can to protect the safety and the property of local residents.”

According to Miller: “Flooding and other natural disasters are managed locally by the municipality with support from the Provincial and Federal governments.

“There are two provincial programs that provide support in natural disasters: the Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance (MDRA) program which helps to rebuild municipal infrastructure and Disaster Recovery Assistance Ontario (DRAO). DRAO applies to a primary residence and its basic contents, or to a small business, farm or not-for-profit organization. It provides assistance for emergency expenses and the costs to repair or replace essential property following a natural disaster that are not covered by insurance.”

As the water begins to recede, the province will send a team to evaluate the damage and determine if the area will be eligible for MDRA and/or DRAO, said Miller’s statement. He added the Province has already been in touch with local municipalities to start to make arrangements for this evaluation.

“We all owe a great big thank you to the first responders and the volunteers who are helping to keep everyone safe and trying to protect property,” said Miller “And I want to reiterate that everyone should stay clear of fast moving water, respect road closures, and, for seasonal residents, please don’t come to check on your property until the flooding has subsided.”

For more information contact Miller at: 416-325-1012 or 1-888-267-4826

To see a video of Miller’s question in the Legislature today go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAz_72ZDGBc&feature=youtu.be

Hansard Transcript – April 29, 2019

Mr. Norman Miller: My question is for the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry.

Over the past week, we’ve seen flooding in many communities across Ontario, including severe flooding in Bracebridge, Huntsville and Katrine in my riding of Parry Sound–Muskoka. I’ve seen the flooding in all of these communities first-hand. I’ve spoken to the residents who are anxious about their safety and damage to their property.

I know we have dedicated staff across the province monitoring the situation and responding with the support of the government. In Parry Sound–Muskoka, we also have dedicated municipal leaders and a huge number of volunteers doing everything they can. Can the minister please tell this House what his ministry and our government are doing to mitigate the potential damage from the flood waters?

Hon. John Yakabuski: I want to thank the member from Parry Sound–Muskoka for that question. I know he was out with the Premier last week viewing first-hand the damage in his areas.

Our sympathies go out to everyone across Ontario who has been dealing with flooding, including in my riding of Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke. On Friday, I visited the community of Constance Bay with Premier Ford and I continued to visit communities in my riding over the weekend.

As we deal with the high water levels, the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre has been fully activated. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has been working with our partners at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Solicitor General and across all three levels of government to coordinate an effective response. Together we have personnel and supplies strategically positioned across the province to respond to the needs of municipalities as they request assistance.

I want to thank all of the first responders and the volunteers who have put in so much time to deal with this and to help those people who are suffering so greatly at this time.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary question.

Mr. Norman Miller: Thank you, Minister, for that answer. I understand water levels across much of eastern Ontario are at or have exceeded levels that have occurred in recent history.

In Parry Sound–Muskoka, we are seeing record high water levels. Residents of Bracebridge, Huntsville, and Katrine in Armour township who are facing flooding have strong local leadership to rely upon. I’ve met with and remain in touch with Bracebridge Mayor Graydon Smith, Huntsville Mayor Scott Aitchison and Armour Township Reeve Bob MacPhail.

However, much of my riding also includes unorganized territories, where they are also experiencing flooding. Can the minister tell us what role the Ministry of Natural Resources plays in these unorganized territories?

Hon. John Yakabuski: Thank you to the member. As he knows, the municipalities lead the response in their community when circumstances such as flooding occur. Municipalities continue to be in contact with the provincial emergency coordination centre and are leading the response. They are coping well where there have been impacts and remain well equipped and prepared to respond to flooding.

In unorganized townships, MNRF, my ministry, is the lead for flood emergency response and we work with our partner ministries and agencies to support people living in those areas.

For any Ontarian looking for information from my ministry on current or potential flood conditions, I ask them to visit Ontario.ca/flooding, where they will find maps, weather forecasts and other tools to help to keep them safe and we will be there when help is needed.”