NDP Environment critic’s response to Ford’s flooding announcement
NDP Environment critic Ian Arthur made this statement in response to the Ford government’s announcement on flood preparedness:
QUEEN’S PARK — “Ontarians are rightfully concerned about increased flooding events, which experts confirm is a consequence of climate change.
Today’s announcement by Ford’s Minister of Natural Resources makes clear that this government will not reverse its cuts to much-needed flooding prevention programs. In fact, today’s announcement did not include one thin dime.
Ford’s last budget slashed the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks’ annual budget by nearly half. Soon after, the government ordered conservation authorities and municipalities to cut key programs like those that prevent and mitigate flooding by monitoring and supporting watersheds.
This morning, the Minister of Natural Resources, John Yakabuski, told journalists that today’s announcement was ‘not about funding.’ How does the minister expect flood prevention to happen if his government has taken the very resources needed to ensure communities and property are kept safe?
The minister has not only ignored flooding experts’ pleas for government funding, he has ignored the advice of his own special advisor on flooding, whose independent review stressed that Ontario has seen increased flooding due to climate change, and that fresh funding is needed to combat further risks.”