Monday at the 2016 ROMA-OGRA combined conference, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Ted McMeekin revealed the full details of two new programs that will replace the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program (ODRAP): one for municipalities and one for citizens, small businesses, farms, and not-for-profits.

AMCTO presented a submission to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) as part of its review of ODRAP in early 2015, and is pleased that the government has adopted two of its recommendations. Specifically, the government’s new disaster assistance program for municipalities will:

1.  Extend the amount of time for local governments to assess damage costs from 14 days to 4 months, and
2. Eliminate the private fundraising and donation matching component.

Over the coming weeks AMCTO will work with its members to analyze the government’s new program. For more information you can read AMCTO’s submission, or the full program details.

Should you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact Rick Johal, Director of Member & Sector Relations at rjohal@amcto.com.