KAWARTHA LAKES-The Insurance Bureau of Canada says the annual economic cost of disasters around the world has increased five-fold since the 1980s. Flooding damage has accounted for 80% of federal disaster assistance payments over the past 20 years.
On Tuesday Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women and Member of Parliament for Peterborough—Kawartha on behalf of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness has announced $46,000 over 18 months to the province of Ontario under the National Disaster Mitigation Program to better plan for and prevent the effects of flooding. “I welcome this funding as it will equip the City of Kawartha Lakes with the updated tools needed to help prevent and mitigate flooding in the area as well as assist the community’s efforts in managing emergencies. Water connects our communities, and ensuring smart management of this resource will see benefits across the region.” said The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women and Member of Parliament for Peterborough—Kawartha
This federal funding will support updated floodplain mapping of the Mariposa Brook which last mapped nearly thirty years ago, by the Kawartha Region Conservation Authority. The data from the updated floodplain mapping is hoped to better protect people and their property from flooding, as well as provide the City of Kawartha Lakes and Kawartha Conservation with better emergency management and planning information to help guide land-use decisions in the area. “Weather-related natural disasters are getting more severe, more frequent, more damaging and more expensive. This is a threat not only to the safety of our communities, but to our economic stability. The Government of Canada is determined to reduce these risks in partnership with provinces and territories. The project announced today will help Ontario better prepare for and respond to flooding.” says The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.
According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, insured damage in 2016 topped $4.9 billion, passing the previous annual record of $3.2 billion set in 201.
The Government of Canada cost-shares up to 50 per cent of eligible expenses for provincial projects and 75 per cent of eligible expenses for territorial projects. Through the Ontario Government, the Kawartha Region Conservation Authority is contributing $46,000 for the Mariposa Brook Flood Area Study.
 photo credit: Curtis Gregory Perry Picnic Benches via photopin (license)</a
