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“As a result of climate change, Toronto is experiencing more frequent and severe storms, resulting in flooding events that impact our road and transit network, our homes and businesses, and our infrastructure. While the City must invest in meeting our emissions reduction goals, we must also invest in mitigating the impacts of climate change a making our city more resilient.”
On October 1 and 4, 2021, City Council received a report recommending that "City Council not proceed with a no-fault grant program," citing "practical and equity challenges" and noting that the City is "not legally obligated to provide" such a program. Despite this, Council requested a supplementary report on "criteria, funding, funding sources and an implementation plan" for a no-fault grant for Rockcliffe area residents experiencing basement flooding.
“The Rockcliffe-Smythe area is located in Ward 5 (York South—Weston) and is the most flood vulnerable area in the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority's jurisdiction. There are hundreds of buildings within the regulatory floodplain of Black Creek and Lavender Creek; many of these properties experience frequent surface and basement flooding during severe storms.”
“Residents throughout the City have been waiting for years for upgrades to municipal infrastructure that will help reduce the risk of flooding to both public and private property. Basement Flooding Investigation Environmental Assessments have been carried out throughout the City to develop plans to reduce the risk of flooding. In some cases these Environmental Assessments, some of which are still underway, have taken years to complete. Communities throughout the City and across Ontario would benefit from a similar process so that measures to reduce the risk of flooding can proceed to design and eventually construction as soon as possible.”
The Update on Flood Mitigation and Damage Repair for Toronto's Waterfront and Toronto Island Park report addresses City Council's request for an update on the Toronto Islands Flood Characterization and Risk Assessment Project, which aims to assist the City and TRCA in planning for future flooding through "flood characterization, flood risk assessment, and flood mapping." It also updates on repairs and mitigation efforts from 2017 and 2018 weather events and provides a preliminary assessment of the 2019 high lake effect.