Staff response.
Staff are working through their provincial and municipal colleagues to seek clarity over eligibility and application terms. Currently, the announcement is understood to be primarily in the immediate term for GTA/H municipalities that ‘declared’ emergencies at the time of the storm. However, it’s also understood that LUMCO municipalities and others might be considered with Council endorsed applications. Staff will be seeking COG Council resolutions asap to assist with applications administration expects to make once the rules are known.
Funding is also questionable – Toronto for example has already received $86 million while eligibility might hinge on the less financially sound municipalities getting preference for the remaining balance of the ‘up to’ $190 million announced. Staff in the CAO Office are coordinating efforts here.