Many cottage owners in Renfrew County, impacted by flooding west of Ottawa, have learned that they won’t be able to receive government funds for repairs on their damaged properties.
Around 120 individuals filled the Horton Recreation Centre Monday evening for the first public information session regarding the spring flood.
Of the 165 properties affected in Horton Township, officials indicated that 96 homes are categorized as cottages and therefore will not qualify for flood relief funds. Throughout Renfrew County, over 800 property owners have reported flood damage, with more than half-436 properties-being seasonal residences.
Claudette Lockwood owns a summer retreat in Renfew County that is now filled with nearly one metre of water. (Omar Dabaghi-Pacheco/ )
Claudette Lockwood’s modest summer getaway is among the most severely damaged locations. She mentioned that she invested her savings into the cottage, which remains surrounded by nearly a metre of water.
“It’s unfair. When you get to be older you want to be comfortable and this is what you spend your money for and invest it like I have. It’s kind of a retirement thing,” Lockwood said.
“And it’s all gone.”
Funding Only for Primary Residences
For Lockwood and other cottage owners affected in the area, there will be no provincial assistance despite paying property taxes on their cottages.
To qualify for aid under Ontario’s Disaster Recovery Assistance Program, the damaged property must serve as a primary residence rather than a secondary dwelling like a cottage.
Bob Kingsbury, mayor of Horton Township, expressed his disagreement with this policy.
“These are the same people that are paying some of the highest taxes in our townships and yet when it comes to disaster relief, there’s nothing there for them,” he said.
“Their tax money went into the coffers, same as the primary residents, yet when they need help they’re out of luck.”
Residents Want Earlier Water Alerts
Residents in Renfrew County also questioned why they weren’t given more notice about rising water levels so they could prepare better.
Kingsbury stated he would have preferred receiving more information from various authorities monitoring water levels in the area.
Horton Township and several others are currently investigating whether earlier access to water flow data could have been provided.
The mayor of Horton Township said he wants to find out if more timely access to information about rising water levels could have helped residents better prepare for the historic flood. (Omar Dabaghi-Pacheco/ )
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