Ontario Announces Disaster Recovery Funding for Municipality of Callander

CALLANDER — The Ontario government is providing the Municipality of Callander with up to $455,000 to help repair essential infrastructure damaged by an extreme storm surge in April 2024. This financial support is provided through the Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance (MDRA) program and is part of the province’s plan to protect Ontario with investments to help repair critical infrastructure when disaster strikes, keeping workers on the job and communities safe.

“Our government is protecting Ontario by providing financial assistance to municipalities facing unexpected natural disasters,” said Graydon Smith, Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “While it’s never easy to recover from an extreme weather event, our government is here to support the Municipality of Callander with repairs to municipal infrastructure damaged by the storm, keeping the community safe and economy growing.”

In April 2024, high winds across Lake Nipissing generated powerful waves and an extreme storm surge over a short period of time in the Municipality of Callander. The storm caused significant damage to shoreline infrastructure along Callander Bay, including the collapse of a break wall. MDRA funding will help cover the cost of repairing municipal infrastructure damaged by the storm.

“Our government is supporting our municipal partners, ensuring they can rebuild and recover without facing significant financial burdens following natural disasters,” said Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing. “Today’s investment to repair essential infrastructure damaged during April’s extreme storm surge highlights the province’s commitment to strengthening and protecting communities across Ontario.”

Ontario’s MDRA program helps municipalities pay for extraordinary emergency response and clean up costs due to natural disasters. Funding can be used to repair essential property and infrastructure, such as roads and bridges.

• Eligible expenses under the MDRA program may include operating and capital costs that are over and above regular municipal budgets and are directly linked to the disaster.
• A municipality may be eligible for the program if its disaster-related costs reach a threshold of three per cent of its own-purpose taxation levy.