The federal government pledged support recently to help reduce the impact of flooding in Chatham-Kent, to the tune of $16.5 million.
According to the Trudeau government, communities need help adapting to the frequent and intensifying weather events caused by climate change. Reducing the impact of natural disasters such as flooding is critical to keeping Canadian families safe, protecting local businesses and supporting a strong economy.
Marco Mendicino, Parliamentary Secretary to the François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and C-K Mayor Darrin Canniff last week announced funding for a major flooding mitigation project in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent that will make communities in the surrounding area better protected against natural disasters.
The project involves reinforcing shorelines on the Thames River, Sydenham River and McGregor Creek, and ensuring that local essential services have the increased capacity needed to manage extreme weather events.
The Sixth Street Dam will also be replaced in order to reduce potential flooding and ice jams from the nearby rivers.
“High water levels during the last two years have tested our flood control measures to their capacity and beyond. The extensive work needed to protect residents and property along the Thames and Sydenham rivers would present an enormous burden on local taxpayers,” Canniff said in a news release. “We are extremely grateful that the federal government is aware of the issue and, more importantly, has stepped forward in partnership to help.”
Increasing the capacity to handle storms could reduce property damage and provide more than 56,000 residents with a safer and healthier community for years to come.
The Government of Canada is investing over $16.5 million to this project through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent providing the remainder.
“Preparing our communities by taking important steps to adapt to climate change is essential in reducing the devastating impacts of natural disasters on Ontario families and businesses, Mendicino said. “By investing today in flood and storm mitigation projects in Chatham-Kent, we are minimizing the costly effects of future weather hazards from bodies of water like Thames River.”
The Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) is a $2-billion, 10-year program to help communities build the infrastructure they need to better withstand natural hazards such as floods, wildfires, earthquakes and droughts.
