“I am disappointed with the province’s decision but I respect it,” said Mayor Linda Jackson. “The City felt it had a responsibility to investigate all avenues in order to assist residents affected by the tornado. We will continue to look to other provincial and federal agencies and pursue other options to see what might be available to offset the City’s costs.”

The total cost to the City of Vaughan and York Region for the response and recovery efforts resulting from the tornado exceeds $500,000. If the province had declared a disaster area, both public and private damages could have been assessed by the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program (ODRAP).

“As a City, it is incumbent upon us to explore all opportunities for funding support,” said City Manager Clayton Harris. “The Province requires the application for assistance be made within 14 days of the disaster. To preserve the opportunity for residents to get provincial assistance it was critical for the City to submit the ODRAP application.” 

In a letter to the City, Jim Watson, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, commends the City of Vaughan and its community organizations “for their timely and efficient response to meet the needs of residents affected by the tornado.”

The Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program is designed to help municipalities, individuals, farmers, small business, and non-profit organizations after a natural disaster. The program is not designed to be an alternative or a substitute for insurance coverage. It is intended to cover the costs of returning essential items to pre-disaster condition for people who have suffered damage in designated disaster areas.