Ontario Government should assist municipalities with ice storm cleanup costs

NEWS RELEASE
Ted Arnott, MPP
Wellington-Halton Hills
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 18, 2014

Ontario Government should assist municipalities with ice
storm cleanup costs

(Queen’s Park) – Local taxpayers should not be left on the hook to cover the entire cost of the
Christmas ice storm cleanup, says Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott.

On February 18, the first day the Ontario Legislature was back in session since Christmas,
Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott insisted that the Provincial Government do its part to
help cover the cleanup costs.

“I call upon the Government to review the municipal requests for financial assistance for
legitimate ice storm cleanup costs,” Mr. Arnott told the House. “I’m aware that the Town of
Halton Hills, the Town of Erin, and the Township of Guelph/Eramosa are seeking such
assistance. They hope to receive a favourable answer by March 1.”

There is a recent precedent where the Provincial Government stepped up to the plate to assist
local government in dealing with the aftermath of a weather related emergency.

“After the Peterborough flooding in 2004, I recall the Liberals tripping over themselves to offer
financial assistance to help with cleanup costs in that community,” Mr. Arnott pointed out
afterwards.

In his statement to the Legislature, Mr. Arnott also reiterated the Ontario PC’s call for the
Government to strike a select committee of the Legislature to review the province’s emergency
preparedness protocols in order to seek better communication and quicker responses.

He commended municipal officials and hydro staff for their work over Christmas to get the power
back up and running.

Throughout the Christmas ice storm and resulting hydro outage, Mr. Arnott was actively
engaged and was in regular contact with senior staff at Hydro One. He was also in touch with
municipal officials. He urged Hydro One to ensure that Wellington-Halton Hills received its fair
share of the available crews and trucks. Even though the power at his home was out too, he
provided regular updates via Twitter.

(Attached: Text of Mr. Arnott’s statement in the Ontario Legislature, February 18, 2014)

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Ted Arnott, MPP
Phone: 416-325-3880
Email: ted.arnott@pc.ola.org
Ted Arnott, MPP
Wellington-Halton Hills

Text of Mr. Arnott’s statement in the Ontario Legislature,
February 18, 2014

Mr. Speaker:

I’m very honoured today, to stand in this place and speak on behalf of the people of Wellington-
Halton Hills, on this First Day of the Spring Sitting of the Ontario Legislature.

Although with the weather we’re currently enduring, it hardly seems like spring. This winter has
been one for the books, and we’ll never forget the Christmas ice storm of 2013.

But it wasn’t all bad.

All across the Province, neighbour helped neighbour, with whatever they needed. Families
spent time together. And, most importantly, we showed our caring for one another.

Many of our local municipal Councillors and staff postponed or interrupted their own Christmas
celebrations to provide the needed local leadership.

Hydro One and local utility staff worked 24/7 in the cold temperatures to restore power to their
affected customers.

They were all magnificent, and deserve our sincere thanks for a job very well done.

Now, we must deal with the aftermath.

We need to strike a select committee of the Legislature to review the province’s emergency
preparedness protocols to seek better communication and quicker responses.

And I call upon the Government to review the municipal requests for financial assistance for
legitimate ice storm cleanup costs.

I’m aware that the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Erin, and the Township of Guelph/Eramosa
are seeking such assistance. They hope to receive a favourable answer by March 1.

I urge the Government to respond to our municipal partners without delay.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.