Rainy River gets lion’s share of disaster money

Ken Johnston
Editor

Rainy River received some good news last week. Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Chris Hodgson, announced that 13 municipalities in the region would be receiving more that $1.5 million in interim Ontario Disaster Relief funding.
Rainy River itself received $368,791 or about half the funding it applied for to repair local infrastructure damaged by the floods in early June. Of the approximately three-quarters of a million the town applied for, a significant portion was slated to replace the sewer lines in the middle blocks of Rainy River.
The already aged sewer system was believed to be overstressed beyond its limits when it was overwhelmed with rainfall in June. Town officials felt that the disaster increased the infiltration into the system by ground water and other sources and applied for funding under the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program.
The interim funding announced last Tuesday, was based on estimated costs for repair. The balance of funding will flow once the work has been completed.
“I’m proud of how quickly our government came to the aid of municipalities in flooded areas,” said Minister of Northern Development and Mines Jim Wilson.
The12 other municipalities receiving assistance were:
Alberton: $14,241
Atikokan: $185,318
Chapple: $134,862
Dawson: $135,247
Emo: $51,633
Fort Frances: $124,983
Ignace: $202,809
Lake of the Woods: $88,341
LaVallee: $43,392
Machin: $100,000
Morley: $49,902
Sioux Narrows: $9,161
The money from ODRAP covers 100% of expenses to repair municipal infrastructure. This announcement did not include money that has or will be paid for private property claims; of which up to 90% of expenses are eligible if approved.