After months of information gathering and consultations regarding the spring flooding this year, the report from the provinces special adviser has been released. Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry and our local MPP John Yakabuski says Doug McNeil’s report highlights significant weather events.
Yakabuski notes that McNeil found that nothing that pointed to human error or the negligent operation of water control structures as the cause of the flooding, and that the government and its partners were effective at reducing and mitigating flood risks.
McNeil provided 66 recommendations in his report and Yakabuski says the province is already working on fulfilling those suggestions. Some include modernizing regulations under the Conservation Authorities Act to have conservation authorities focus on their core mandate of protecting people and property from flooding and other natural hazards.
In addition to ensuring the continued investment of over $4.7 million in the hydrometric networks to enable flood forecasting and flood warnings that help municipalities better prepare for flood events.