Increased access to the Compassionate Grant program
I worked with Mayor Sutcliffe to move and second a motion to improve the Commpassionate Grant program, allowing more residents to access funds to make up the shortfall that insurance may leave.
The motion waives the eligibility requirement that applicants must not have received a Compassionate Grant within the previous five years, and the requirement that the flooding be attributable to a sewer surcharge event, for claims arising from the July 1, 2026, storm event.
It also allows senior staff to grant exceptions to the Compassionate Grant Program eligibility requirements, where deemed appropriate, for applications arising from the July 1, 2026, storm.
If the program begins to run short of money, the motion creates a mechanism for staff to bring a request for additional funding to Council.
Finally, it directs staff to launch a promotional awareness campaign to
ensure all flood-impacted residents, as well as residents citywide, learn about this program, its benefits, and how they can apply.
Residential Protective Plumbing
I brought forward a motion today with the Mayor to ensure that as many affected residents can access supports through the Residential Protective Plumbing Program as possible. As part of this, Building Code Services has assured me that these applications are being prioritized. If you are running into issues, please let me know.
The motion waived the eligibility requirement that applicants must not have received a compassionate grant within the previous five years; and that if the applications for assistance exceed the current capital funding budgets of the residential protective plumbing program let Council know so we can fix it.
I know many of you need to install these to maintain your insurance, so please see here for information on how to apply.
Building Code and Dumpsters
So many of you are working through what to do next to restore your basements. We passed a motion today to waive fees for flooding impacted residents for Building Permits.
To provide additional relief to residents, these fees have been waived if they are incurred as a direct result of damage inflicted by the extreme weather on July 1st 2026:
- demolition fees
- building permit fees
- fees relating to accessing historic building permit records
- temporary encroachment fees related to the installation of dumpsters in the right of way.
More information on building permits.
Working with the Canadian Red Cross to help residents
The Mayor and I also brought a motion to endorse a partnership
between the City of Ottawa and the Canadian Red Cross enabling the Red Cross to serve as the lead coordinating non-governmental organization;.
We've all seen the Red Cross bring emergency supplies, clothing, and supplies to areas that have been ravaged by fire or extreme weather. But that's not the only way this excellent organization can help.
For residents of College Ward and other neighbourhoods, the Canadian Red Cross will assist residents, especially vulnerable residents like seniors or people with disabilities, in navigating the various programs and funding that are available.
This motion also asks the Red Cross to report back to Councillors so we can identify gaps and needs going forward.
Legal Assistance dealing with insurance companies
Many of you have told me that you feel your insurance company hasn't been there for you. That they've found reasons to exclude your claims.
The Mayor and I moved a motion that will recruit area lawyers, especially those with expertise in insurance matters, to provide free community legal clinics for residents who need help navigating the difficult process of insurance claims.
This will take some time to set up, but I am very hopeful that we'll be able to improve residents’ access to timely legal information, guidance, and independent legal advice respecting insurance coverage disputes, claims processes, and related recovery challenges arising from the flooding event.
Looking for answers and ways to do better
In addition to all of the motions creating or strengthening programs to help residents, several Councillors, including myself, brought forward motions and inquiries to examine the City of Ottawa's response to the floods.
They included examining the day by day timeline of the City's decisions and how they were made, aiming to find faster and better responses in the future.
There's also a direction to find alternatives to 311 in emergencies, so that residents don't need to wait so long for a response and to avoid tying up the 311 service for other purposes.
We'll also look at our stormwater systems, how they can be upgraded, and how new housing development must take into account the impacts on stormwater. Reducing greenspace and increasing pavement reduce the permeability of rainwater, which puts more pressure on our stormwater and sewage systems.
Finally, the motions call for better communications with residents during an emergency, including the creation of communications hubs and other systems to help ensure that you know what's happening.
Call, write, and stay up to date
As City Councillor, my team and I can help you with issues that fall within the municipal areas of responsibility: local traffic calming; infrastructure like sidewalks, roads, and bike lanes; municipal tax statements; some social services; parks and recreation; and more. Please note that I cannot help you with parking tickets or other provincial infractions - to attempt to do so is illegal.
Here's how to stay up to date on College Ward news and events, and to contact me:
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: college-ward.ca
Pour nous appeler, nous écrire et vous informer
Mon équipe et moi, en tant que conseillère municipale, pouvons vous aider avec les questions qui relèvent des domaines de responsabilité municipale : la modération de la circulation locale, les infrastructures comme les trottoirs, les routes et les bandes cyclables, les relevés d’imposition municipale, certains services sociaux, les parcs et services récréatifs et plus encore. Veuillez noter que je ne peux vous aider en ce qui concerne les contraventions de stationnement ou les infractions provinciales – le faire serait illégal.
Pour connaître les nouvelles et événements du quartier Collège et communiquer avec moi :
Courriel : [email protected]
Site Web : quartier-college.ca
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