The emergency preparedness minister of Ontario claims it took the City of Ottawa eight days after the Canada Day flooding to seek help for cleanup efforts, while city officials argue they were consistently in touch with the province starting the evening of the severe storm.
This timeline was questioned during an Oct. 6 committee meeting at Queen’s Park, where New Democrat MPP Chandra Pasma indicated that the city had reached out to the government’s Ontario Corps for assistance – but not much support came.
In reply, Emergency Preparedness and Response Minister Jill Dunlop contrasted Ottawa’s situation with St. Catharines, noting that city asked for help just two days after experiencing its own serious storm.
“In the situation in Ottawa, the flooding and the rain happened on July 1,” Dunlop said. “We didn’t receive a request for assistance until July 9.”
Once they received that request, Dunlop mentioned that they sent in the Salvation Army to “procure cleaning supplies for families.”
Pasma pressed Dunlop on whether help had been offered by the government.
“Absolutely. I reached out to the mayor myself. I spoke with him. The premier reached out to the mayor, and [Municipal Affairs Minister Rob] Flack talked to him about financial supports available,” Dunlop responded.
“Each municipality has their own emergency management plan. They reach out to us when they have reached that capacity and need additional support. We don’t just show up and say we’re here to help. We have to have that request from the municipality.”
City’s Request Timeline Unclear Regarding Ontario Corps
However, both Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and city staff view this timeline differently.
A statement from Sutcliffe’s re-election campaign stated that he engaged directly with both ministers and Premier Doug Ford on July 2 and 3 “to request assistance from the province.”
Ryan Perrault, who is the city’s general manager of emergency and protective services, also told in an email that city staff were in contact with provincial emergency operations centre “immediately” following the floods and maintained “nearly daily” communication.
Perrault wrote that post-storm, their priority was deploying emergency services, clearing debris, restoring transportation, and assisting displaced residents – all while “discussing potential areas where provincial support could be provided as needs evolved.”
On July 4, according to Perrault, a request was made by the city for activation of a provincial program called Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO).
This program can reimburse individuals for cleanup expenses and repairs.
As response efforts adapted to new needs becoming apparent after the storm, additional aid was requested by July 9 – eight days later – particularly for residents whose “insurance claims had been denied and who faced challenges undertaking cleanup and remediation themselves,” Perrault noted.
The province did provide extra support including “HEPA air purifiers, cleaning kits and connections to non-governmental organizations,” he added.
“The city’s approach throughout this event was leading its emergency response while staying closely coordinated with provincial partners and bringing forward specific requests as needs were identified.”
It remains unspecified if any requests made on July 9 involved deploying Ontario Corps or if such a request was ever submitted at all.
WATCH | Canada Day storm caused unprecedented damage, says Sutcliffe:
July 1 storm caused unprecedented damage, says mayor
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe states that damages from this July 1 storm surpassed those caused by “devastating” flood events along Ottawa River back in 2019.
The government established Ontario Corps in 2024 as a statewide network composed of skilled professionals along with trained volunteers who can be deployed during natural disasters or other emergencies across communities.
The province has since continued adding members including The Salvation Army Canada , Habitat for Humanity , The Home Depot , along with Feed Ontario.
Dunlop mentioned at committee meeting that there are now more than 33 ,600 registered volunteers within corps ; over 8 ,000 of whom completed training and are ready for deployment.
‘Help Never Came’ After themeeting , Pasma told CBC she seeks accountability regarding what she described as insufficient aid following flood recovery efforts.
“We knowthat help never came onthe ground. Youknow ultimately that’swhat matters : that peoplewere leftfor weeks, multiple months insome cases , tohandlecleanup allby themselves,” shestated.
“What we deserve t oknow is whathelpwas offeredwhen , whathelpwasaskedfor when[and] whorefused ? Wasitthprovince? Wasitth emayor?”
Following Pasma’s remarks during themeeting , mayoral challenger Jeff Leiper urged Sutcliffewednesdaytoreleaseanypapertrailindicatingwhen requestsforaidwere made.
“Ifthecity askedearlyand askedforcleanup crews , showus, andtheprovincethenhasquestionstoanswer,” Leiperwroteinnews release , whohasbeenendorsedby Pasma. “
Ifitdidn’t, residentsdeservetoknowwhy.”
Emergency Preparednessand Response Minister Jill Dunlopseenherein2024, toldacommittee meetingearlierthis monththattookeightdaysafter Canada Daystormforcityofficialstorequesthelp.(Chris Young/)
‘Won’t Engage In Partisan Politics’ A statementfrom Sutcliffe’sre-electioncampaignteam clarified he”immediatelydirectedcitystafftoengagewiththeirprovincial counterparts toreques tassistanceforimpactedresidents.”
A statement described themayor’s interactionswith Dunlop, Fordand Flackon July23, inwhichhe requestedhelp.
“Atnopointwasanyofferofassistance rejectedbythecitynorwasthereanydelayinrequestingassistance,”wrotecampaignteam.
“What’s clearisthat Mark Sutclifftookaction. T politicizinganatural disasterforcrasspoliticalgainisunhelpfulfortheaffectedcommunities. What residentswantisresults.”
The campaignasserted Sutcliffwouldworkwithallgovernmentsonthe city’s infrastructure needsand”won’tplaypartisan politics.”
The Ontario legislature returnson Oct27, butthecommitteeonjustice policywasmeetingduringbreaktoreviewspecificbillsorestimates.
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