Ontario city to receive over $2 million in federal funding for flood protection upgrades

Ryan Turnbull, Member of Parliament for Whitby, and Peterborough mayor Jeff Leal have announced that the Canadian federal government will provide more than $2.1 million to help pay for infrastructure improvements that will protect communities from flooding.

A release from the city explained that the funding will support a $5.44 million project that looks to increase the capacity of the Armour Road sanitary sewer, finish storm sewer upgrades, and restore the Curtis Creek channel.

“Flooding disasters impact municipalities across Ontario and climate change is expected to only bring more flooding,” said Turnbull in a statement. “Projects like this help to protect our communities from damage during flooding events – safeguarding homes, businesses, and residents. The Government of Canada’s continued partnership with provinces, territories, municipalities, and Indigenous communities to mitigate the effects of natural disasters will ensure Canadians can continue to thrive in a changing climate.”

“Infrastructure improvements are essential as the City of Peterborough continues to mitigate impacts of climate change,” added Leal. “Thank you to the Government of Canada for contributing to the City’s investment in the Curtis Creek project which will reduce flooding for area residents and businesses, protecting against property damage, and more importantly, protecting the safety and wellbeing of our residents.”

Infrastructure Canada also explained in the release that by rehabilitating Curtis Creek’s shoreline and completing the storm sewer/sanitary upgrades, the waterway’s health would improve while reducing the risk of overland flooding in the region. The agency also said that every dollar invested in climate adaptation and resilience returns $13 to $$15 in benefits.

In December, it was announced that the federal government would provide over $22 million to help improve the flood mitigation infrastructure in Edmonton, AB. The funding will go into projects such as the construction of three new backwater prevention outfall gates at Edmonton’s Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the construction of a water barrier at the northern part of the plant.