Vaughan, Ontario - March 26, 2019

Now more than ever, communities need help adapting to the frequent and intensifying weather events caused by climate change. Reducing the impact of natural disasters such as flooding and severe winter storms is critical to keeping Canadian families safe and protecting local businesses, while supporting a strong economy and middle class.

The Government of Canada is proud to invest in infrastructure projects that will make our cities and our communities more resilient to unpredictable weather events that threaten our communities, our health, and our lives.

Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities announced that the GTA will receive $150,388,299 the federal Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) and the City of Vaughan will receive $16,588, 299 from DMAF.

Thanks to this investment, residents of Vaughan will soon benefit from the Vaughan Stormwater Flood Mitigation projects by allowing citizens to have confidence in clean drinking water and maintained roads during severe weather.

Quotes

“Taking concrete steps to adapt to the impacts of climate change is more and more essential to ensuring a safe prosperous future for our kids and grandkids. By investing in this important project, we are helping Vaughan get ahead of the impacts of flooding, and extreme winter storms. The work will help make sure residents have uninterrupted access to essential services and greatly reduce the costs of recovery following extreme weather incidents.”

Francesco Sorbara, Member of Parliament for Vaughan-Woodbridge

“These federal dollars, from the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, will help offset a portion of the costs, already committed by the city, to improve water quality of our creek system and to better manage the flood risk to vulnerable neighbourhoods.”

Hon. Maurizio Bevilacqua, Mayor of Vaughan

Quick facts

• The Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) is a $2-billion, 10-year program to help communities build the infrastructure they need to better withstand natural hazards such as floods, wildfires, earthquakes and droughts.
• DMAF is part of the federal government’s Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, which is providing more than $180 billion over 12 years for public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and rural and northern communities.
• Investing in green infrastructure that helps communities cope with the intensifying effects of climate change is an integral part of Canada’s transition to a more resilient, low-carbon economy, which is among the commitments made under the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.

Associated links

Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund

Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan

Investing in Canada plan project map