City of Mississauga Receives Final Installment from Ontario’s Ice Storm Assistance Program

The City of Mississauga has received the final installment from the Ontario Ice Storm Assistance Program totalling $8,307,061 in reimbursement for response and recovery efforts related to the 2013 Ice Storm, representing 88 per cent of the total claim. The $4,996,118 received January 6, 2016 was the second installment from the Ontario government and follows the $3,310,943 interim installment the City received in April, 2015.

“The 2013 Ice Storm was a severe weather event and had a serious and lasting impact on our community, causing substantial damage to Mississauga’s tree canopy,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “The efforts and resources required to repair the damage and recover from the storm were significant. The City of Mississauga is sincerely appreciative for the reimbursement of costs received through the Ice Storm Assistance Program which would otherwise be burdened by City reserves.”

On December 21, 2013, Mississauga and other municipalities in Southwestern Ontario were subjected to an extreme ice storm. The province announced in February, 2014 a special one-time Ice Storm Assistance Program (OISAP) focused on the costs related to the immediate emergency response and subsequent cleanup of debris necessary to protect public safety.

According to City staff’s Corporate Report, the storm impacted all areas of the city with Meadowvale, Malton and Erin Mills having the most significant damage to the tree canopy. Mississauga took prompt action to address the damage caused by the Ice Storm including debris clean up and addressing public safety concerns from damaged trees. Approximately 2,000 trees were removed and 8,000 trees were pruned to address branch damage and overall structural integrity of the trees. To date, approximately 1,000 trees have been replanted with an additional 1,000 to be planted in 2016.