Mayor Frustrated at 'Bureaucratic Process'

However, local MPP says government been there from beginning

St. Catharines mayor Mat Siscoe expressing frustration to the province over what he calls a bureaucratic process to getting flood relief.

He told provincial officials residents need flood help now, not waiting for disaster relief money.  "There is still an appetite to change the way this works.  I don't think our disaster response at the provincial level is designed to meet the needs of the province."

He understands the government saying disaster relief money is not meant to replace insurance.  "The limitations on the program are kind of ridiculous, in my opinion.  We're told... this is only for overland flooding, and instances of sewer backup wouldn't qualify.  But, the only reason the sewers backed up was because of the overland flooding." 

He says in many cases insurance doesn't come close to what people need.

He also disputes claims by the provincial government the city didn't ask for flood relief help soon enough.

The mayor says the city was reaching out right away, adding he understands provincial concerns for volunteer safety in murky floods.  "We don't have the expertise to go into those situations.  We want volunteers to be safe as well, of course, but the early days, hours, are the important times to reach vulnerable residents."

He understands the province wanting assessments done on each home.  "If you're not even sending Team Rubicon until four days after the first flooding event, and they're not on the ground doing those assessments for a week after, then it becomes very difficult."

He spoke to Ottawa officials who were dealing with flooding, they expressed similar frustration.

Niagara West Conservative MPP repeating private insurance is meant to cover most flood damage, followed by provincial assistance.

Sam Oosterhoff says they'll help the municipality as it leads recovery efforts.

There's also disaster relief for residents, but under certain conditions, such as overland flooding.  "If you decide that you don't want to get private insurance for your basement, this isn't going to cover a flood that isn't insured.  What it does do is hopefully provide some support for things that insurance generally doesn't cover, things like overland flooding." 

He adds the provincial government was communicating with the city from the start.

He also tells us they're waiting for many assessments to come in, and won't have provincial taxpayers pay for what insurance is meant for.

He adds he connected with Mayor Mat Siscoe early, who has not been happy with Minister Jill Dunlop's response that the city should've responded sooner.  "I have been in touch with Minister Dunlop, and I know her team had been in touch with the municipalities.  So, I think what the minister was trying to get across is here is the process that needs to be followed in order for the funds to be released."

He says the greatest thing is seeing how everyone has pulled together.