Brock council urges the province to activate disaster recovery program after devastating ice storm

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

BROCK: Local councillors recently appealed to the provincial government to activate financial aid, for residents still reeling from the late-March ice storm which crippled the region.

During a recent meeting, council unanimously passed a resolution, urging, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Rob Flack to activate the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program. The resolution, moved by Mayor Walter Schummer and seconded by Regional Councillor Michael Jubb, highlights the widespread damage and prolonged power outages experienced across the township.

“Residents in our urban areas were without power for two to three days, many rural and agricultural residents had no electricity for up to 10 days,” said Mayor Schummer. “Those without power suffered damage to their personal and business properties, including significant loss of income.”

The March 29th ice storm coated trees and hydro lines with thick ice, knocking out both hydroelectric and communications infrastructure throughout Brock. In response, the Brock Emergency Control Group met the following day, to address the growing concerns, and Mayor Schummer declared a State of Emergency, on March 30th.

According to the resolution, while the province has a disaster recovery program, designed to assist residents with costs not covered by insurance after sudden natural disasters, the program must be formally activated by the Minister, before residents can apply for financial help.

“This program is assistance for residents themselves,” Mayor Schummer emphasized. “There are similar programs for municipalities like Brock, which have declared a state of emergency, but this is about helping individual residents. I’m frustrated the program hasn’t already been invoked.”

Council also directed staff to send copies of the resolution to Premier Doug Ford and Minister Flack, to press for swift action.

Council members expressed strong support for the initiative, voicing concern for residents facing mounting recovery costs without assistance.

“This was an extraordinary event which demands an extraordinary response,” said Regional Councillor Jubb.

Council's call for support now rests with Queen’s Park, as the community continues to clean up and recover from the storm’s lasting impact.