MNRF’S YAKABUSKI CALLS FLOOD MEETINGS ‘PRODUCTIVE’

OTTAWA — As floods spread across Ontario, including Toronto, the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, John Yakabuski, concluded a week of post-mortems on flooding in Muskoka and the Ottawa Valley area.

He called the three meetings “very productive.”

Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Norm Miller was among the government representatives on hand.

The MNRF’s meeting in Muskoka, Pembroke and Ottawa have been called a success by the minister.

In a statement he released Friday, he said: “Our government’s top priority has always been the safety of the people of Ontario. This has been a difficult time for many of our communities who have dealt admirably with the challenges posed by this year’s flooding.”

He added: “Today our government wrapped up engagement sessions where we heard from municipal and industry leaders on how we can improve the province’s resilience to flooding. The sessions in Huntsville, Pembroke, and Ottawa were very productive and our government appreciates all of those who took the time to share their insights.”

Yakabuski added that the feedback will be used to inform our decisions as we determine next steps.

“We look forward to continuing to work with our municipal and industry partners. The only way that we will find effective solutions is to put politics aside and work together to prioritize the safety of Ontarians and the protection of our communities….”

He was joined at the sessions by Miller, Minister Vic Fedeli (deputy premier); Minister Merrilee Fullerton, Parliamentary Assistant Toby Barrett, Parliamentary Assistant Jim McDonell, MPP Norm Miller, MPP Goldie Ghamari, and MPP Jeremy Roberts.

He invited the people of Ontario to share your feedback on how we can improve the province’s resilience at Ontario.ca/FloodSurvey.