Ontario Investing in Local Emergency Preparedness in Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry

May 10, 2024

Targeted investments will help keep communities safe during emergencies

NEWS

North Stormont — The Ontario government is investing $32,775 in South Nation River Conservation Authority to help them prepare for and respond to emergencies. Funding is being delivered through the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant, a $5 million investment to help communities and organizations purchase critical supplies, equipment and deliver training and services.

“I am proud to see our government invest $32,775 in the South Nation River Conservation Authority. This investment will bolster our community’s emergency preparedness efforts,” said MPP Nolan Quinn. “The Community Emergency Preparedness Grant underscores our commitment to safeguarding Ontarians and is a vital component of the $110 million initiative dedicated to enhancing emergency preparedness across the province.”

“Through the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant, our government is stepping up to ensure Ontario is safe, practiced and prepared for any type of emergency,” said Caroline Mulroney, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for Emergency Management. “From floods to wildland fires, these targeted investments will empower communities and organizations to enhance their emergency response. Whether it’s building up local fire departments or enabling more efficient search and rescue operations, our government is giving communities the tools and resources they need to keep people safe.”

The funding is supporting 113 recipients across Ontario including municipalities, local services boards, First Nation communities, Tribal Councils, Indigenous service organizations and non-governmental organizations with mandates in emergency preparedness.

“The support we’ve received through the Community Preparedness Grant is invaluable. With these resources, we can enhance our flood warning systems, ensuring that the communities within SNC’s watershed are better prepared and equipped to face the challenges of severe weather events. This funding enables us to not only mitigate the risks posed by flooding but also helps to protect people and property,” said Steve Densham, Chair of SNC’s Board of Directors.

“The funding will help advance SNC’s surveillance abilities during hazardous events through the development of a geospatial application, capturing detailed flood extent information using drone technology,” explains Sandra Mancini, SNC’s Managing Director of Natural Hazards and Infrastructure.  “Funds from the grant will also help support the development of a web map platform to share geospatial information with Community Emergency Management Coordinators,” adds Mancini.

The Community Emergency Preparedness Grant is part of the $110 million the government earmarked over the next three years to strengthen emergency preparedness in Ontario. The province will continue to make substantial investments and expand training programs to support Ontario’s whole-of-government approach to emergency management and response.

QUICK FACTS

Eligible applicants had to be located in Ontario and included:

• Non-governmental organizations that have a mandate in emergency preparedness
• Local services boards
• First Nation communities; Indigenous organizations, including Tribal Councils; and other Indigenous service organizations that support emergency management programming in First Nation communities
• Small- and medium-sized municipalities (those with populations under 100,000 as per Statistics Canada data from 2021)
• Recipients were selected through a rigorous and competitive review process.
• The Community Emergency Preparedness Grant is one of the ways the government is ensuring that communities are as safe and prepared as possible. In April, Ontario released its first annual report on the Provincial Emergency Management Strategy and Action Plan, reporting on progress made in 2023 to move emergency management forward.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Community Emergency Preparedness Grant
• Provincial Emergency Management Strategy and Action Plan
• Emergency Management Ontario

Media Contacts

Office of Nolan Quinn, MPP Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry
Tel: 613-933-6513 / TF: 1-800-514-9660
Email: nolan.quinn@pc.ola.org