Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

05/22/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/22/2026 07:05

Ontario Announces Disaster Recovery Funding for O’Connor Township

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THUNDER BAY - The Ontario government is providing O'Connor Township with up to $30,000 to help cover essential infrastructure repair costs due to flooding that occurred in April 2025. This financial support is being provided through the Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance (MDRA) program, and is part of the province's plan to protect Ontario with investments to help repair critical infrastructure when disaster strikes, keeping workers on the job and communities safe.

"Ontario will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with municipalities during times of hardship," said Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. "This funding will support recovery efforts and help O'Connor Township manage the costs of repairing infrastructure damaged by flooding without placing a financial burden on residents."

On April 28, 2025, O'Connor Township experienced heavy rainfall, causing flooding across the municipality. The MDRA funding will help the Township cover the costs of repairing roads and other essential infrastructure damaged by the flooding.

"This funding through the Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance program reflects Ontario's commitment to supporting municipalities when disaster strikes," said Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay - Atikokan. "It will assist O'Connor Township in addressing essential repair costs and restoring critical infrastructure impacted by the spring flooding. As a former mayor of my community, I know firsthand that this support will make a meaningful difference in helping the community recover and complete necessary repairs."

Ontario's MDRA program helps municipalities pay for extraordinary emergency response and clean up costs due to natural disasters. Funding can be used to repair essential property and infrastructure, such as roads and bridges.

Quick Facts

  • A local weather station measured up to 67.2 mm of rainfall in O'Connor Township over an eight-hour period.
  • Eligible expenses under the MDRA program may include operating and capital costs that are over and above regular municipal budgets and are directly linked to the disaster.
  • A municipality may be eligible for the program if its disaster-related costs reach a threshold of three per cent of its own-purpose taxation levy.

Quotes

"On behalf of the Council, staff, residents, and all that use the Township of O'Connor roadways, I would like to express our gratitude to the Province of Ontario for the emergency funding provided through the MDRA program for the damage caused by this significant weather event, and helping to alleviate the financial burden that otherwise would've been placed on the Township's taxpayers."

- Jim Vezina
Mayor, O'Connor Township

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Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care published this content on May 22, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 22, 2026 at 13:05 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]