Province pulling the plug on disaster preparedness

April 16, 2019

TORONTO — Mike Schreiner made the following statement in response to cuts to flood management and emergency forest fire funding:

“Anyone who reads the news knows the costs of extreme weather are rising. Yet, the Premier is failing to plan for the climate crisis we face.

As forest fires, flooding and ice storms become more frequent and intense, the Premier is pulling the plug on disaster preparedness.

A 48% cut to conservation authorities kneecaps their ability to provide flood warning and management services, putting public safety, farmland, water quality, and infrastructure at risk.

It is irresponsible for Ford to cut emergency forest-fighting by 67%, especially after the damage caused by 1,325 fires last year alone, and at a time when experts are warning that forest fires will become more common and intense.

These cuts leave communities completely on their own at a time when extreme weather is costing Ontario over $1.2 billion in insured losses annually.

It’s ironic the Minister made such a big deal about basement flooding in his Environment Plan, only to turn around and slash the funding for flood relief.

We know the government is throwing in the towel on reducing pollution, as the Premier uses tax dollars to sabotage climate solutions. Now we know it is washing its hands of any responsibility to help Ontarians adapt.”

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