Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program Overview

1. City of Cornwall Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program Presented by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Presented by: Christopher Gleeson, Municipal Advisor 12 October 2010

2. A Caution • This is an overview of the program, and may not be complete. Refer to www.e-laws.gov.on.ca or other reference materials. If you have a particular question, you should seek a legal opinion

3. Myths: “Pot” of provincial funding for emergencies Everything is replaced by the province Municipal declaration of an emergency under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act means automatic financial assistance MMAH can assess damage on its own and make decisions on assistance Realities: No “standing” pot of provincial funding for financial relief assistance. MMAH must request disaster relief funding from Treasury Board Repair, restore or replace essential items to pre-disaster conditions Provincial ministries input into the damage assessment reports and disaster assistance options. May develop and administer intergovernmental and inter ministerial partnerships and agreements (e.g. Regional Action Groups) WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT DISASTER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

4. RESPONSIBILITY FOR DISASTER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE • MMAH disaster financial relief assistance to public and private losses includes: • ODRAP (response to natural disasters) • Ad Hoc Programs (response to other disasters) • SARS assistance program • Walkerton assistance program

5. GUIDELINES FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE “Decision tree” of considerations: • Natural or non-natural disaster • Large events with wide impacts • Magnitude of disaster and frequency of occurrence • Unforeseen and unbudgeted by municipality • Property damage not covered by insurance • Incremental costs attributed to the disaster event • Financial capacity of municipality

6. ODRAP PROGRAM • Alleviates financial hardship caused by damage to essential, private & public property due to natural calamity • Assists affected parties to restore property to pre-disaster condition • Does not replace private insurance and deductibles are not covered • Only covers damages within declared disaster area • On-going program since 1965, with periodic revisions and updates • Both public and private program

7. ODRAP PROGRAM Who is eligible? • Municipalities • Territories without municipal organization • Individuals and families • Farmers • Small businesses • Non-profit organizations • Note: First Nations communities seek financial assistance from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, and not through ODRAP

8. ODRAP PROGRAM • Examples of Private Eligible Costs: • Restoration, repairs or replacement to pre-disaster condition of principal year-round residences, farm buildings, and principal business enterprise buildings • Essential furnishings of a principal private residence including refrigerator, etc. • Please refer to the list of eligible costs provided in the course materials • NOTE THAT “PRINCIPAL” MEANS PRIMARY • Examples of Public Eligible Costs: • Restoration, repairs or replacement to pre-disaster condition of municipal public infrastructure such as roads, sewers, buildings • More information is also available on the Municipal Affairs and Housing website at www.mah.gov.on.ca/odrap

9. WHO ARE THE PLAYERS? Disaster Relief Committee – settles claims, fundraising Municipal Council requests disaster area declaration Municipal Services Office (MSO) – administers ODRAP MMAH Minister declares disaster area Municipal Programs & Education Branch (MPEB) coordinates policy Provincial Disaster Assessment Team (PDAT)

10. HOW TO ACCESS ODRAP • A municipality must submit a resolution requesting the Minister to declare the affected area a disaster area within 14 working days. The next slide will give you a sample resolution. • The resolution should clearly define the area which may be declared a disaster area • Resolution should clearly define whether the private or public or both components of ODRAP is being requested • Resolution should be supported by documentation outlining costs

11. SAMPLE RESOLUTION • Whereas the municipality of (name) recently experienced a (describe type of disaster event) on (date), the council of the municipality of (name) hereby requests the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to declare the (specific area/ municipality) a "disaster area" for the purposes of the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program (ODRAP);for (specify for which purpose – i.e. for public and private purposes OR for public purposes only OR for private purposes only) • and further, should the Minister declare a disaster, Council will immediately, as required by ODRAP, appoint members to a disaster relief committee to administer the claims made under ODRAP. (applicable only if requesting ODRAP for private purposes)

12. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION: PRIVATE COSTS • Municipal resolution • Number and type of properties that have incurred damages • Number of affected residents • Extent and preliminary estimate of damages suffered • Newspaper clippings, photographs and other documentation

13. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION: PUBLIC COSTS • Municipal resolution • Municipal damage report • The extent and the preliminary cost estimate of damages suffered • Reliable estimates of costs and time to repair damages • Newspaper clippings, photographs and other documentary evidence where available • Other information council feels is pertinent (e.g. Conservation Authority reports, Environment Canada etc.)

14. ROLE OF THE MUNICIPALITY • Council defines the disaster area and makes request to Minister to declare disaster • Council appoints members to Disaster Relief Committee (DRC) • Fundraising appeal begins • Work closely with the Municipal Services Office • Assist province and DRC with resources, i.e., facilities, communications, staff resources to carry out financial assistance process

15. DISASTER RELIEF COMMITTEE (DRC)private damages only DRC is: • Requirement under ODRAP • Is required to fundraise locally (requirement may be waived for communities with limited local resources) • Is responsible for settling claims

16. DISASTER RELIEF COMMITTEE (DRC) DRC: • Volunteer committee • Members appointed by the municipality - cannot be members of council • Acts as an autonomous body • Operates within provincial guidelines • May take six months to one year to settle all claims

17. ROLE OF THE PROVINCE • MPEB/MSO staff monitor impending or ongoing emergency situations through EMO, and available to advise on damage assessment documentation • The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing is authorized to declare a “disaster area” • Minister will consider cause/extent of damages relative to financial resources/capacity – through the Provincial Disaster Assessment Team (PDAT)

18. ROLE OF THE PROVINCE • Provincial Disaster Assessment Team (PDAT) will: • Assess the scale of and need for disaster assistance • Recommend the appropriate level of recovery assistance and the need for emergency financial assistance

19. ROLE OF THE PROVINCE • Provides financial assistance for private claims up to $2 for every dollar raised locally, to an amount necessary to settle all eligible claims, up to 90% of all eligible costs • ODRAP administered through the Municipal Services Offices and Municipal Programs and Education Branch • Municipal Services Office staff support program administration

20. Summer Storm - 2006

21. Summer Storm-2006

22. Microburst-North Frontenac-2004

23. Microburst – North Frontenac - 2002

24. Contact Information Chris Gleeson, Municipal Advisor Christopher.gleeson@ontario.ca Tel: 613-545-2129 or 1-800-267-9438 Ex 126 MSO East mailing address: Rockwood House, 8 Estate Lane Kingston, ON K7M 9A8 Tel: 613-545-2100 or 1-800-267-9438 Fax: 613-548-6822

25. Website Links • Disaster Relief & Emergency Management • http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page237.aspx • ODRAP Program Guidelines • http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page244.aspx • Tools for Municipalities • http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page238.aspx • Municipal Emergency Response (including Public Damage Report) • http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page1568.aspx

26. Wrap up • Questions???