EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill enacts several measures related to the public awareness of flooding issues.

The Bill proclaims the fourth week in March in each year as Flooding Awareness Week. It also requires the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to publish information on a Government website about flooding issues.

Finally, the Bill requires information on flooding issues to be sent to taxpayers along with their municipal tax bill. The Minister is required to send that information to households in territories without municipal organization.

Bill 56 2022

An Act to proclaim Flooding Awareness Week and to promote public awareness of flooding issues

Preamble

The Government of Ontario does not currently provide sufficient flooding education and prevention tools for its population. A comprehensive and far-reaching educational campaign, including digital and physical resources, would help educate Ontarians to prevent basement flooding.

Flooding now costs Canadians more than any other climate issue. This puts their homes and financial security at risk, with the average cost of a basement flood totalling $43,000. Insurance claims from severe weather have more than quadrupled over the past 15 years. The number of these incidents will continue to increase as the climate becomes more unstable, leading to more natural disasters.

Creating a residential flood risk awareness program and declaring the fourth week in March as Flooding Awareness Week will increase knowledge and understanding, which will be especially relevant for those with basements in areas that are likely to flood.

Therefore, His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Flooding Awareness Week

1 The fourth week in March in each year is proclaimed as Flooding Awareness Week.

Flooding awareness website

2 The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing shall publish the following information on a Government of Ontario website:

   1.  Information on what Ontarians can do to prepare for the possibility of floods in their area.

   2.  Information on preventative measures that can be taken to help prevent or mitigate floods.

   3.  A guide to publicly-available resources in regards to flooding risks in Ontario.

   4.  Answers to frequently asked questions about flooding risks in Ontario.

Mailout in territories without municipal organization

3 The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing shall ensure that the information described in section 2 is mailed to every household in a territory without municipal organization before the end of each year.

City of Toronto Act, 2006

4 Section 308 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006 is amended by adding the following subsection:

Flood information must be included

(2.1)  The city treasurer must send materials containing the information described in section 2 of the Fewer Floods, Safer Ontario Act, 2022 along with any tax bill they send to taxpayers.

Municipal Act, 2001

5 Section 343 of the Municipal Act, 2001 is amended by adding the following subsection:

Flood information must be included

(2.1)  The treasurer must send materials containing the information described in section 2 of the Fewer Floods, Safer Ontario Act, 2022 along with any tax bill they send to taxpayers.

Commencement

6 (1)  Except as otherwise provided in this section, this Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

(2)  Sections 2 to 5 come into force on the day that is three months after the day this Act receives Royal Assent.

Short title

7 The short title of this Act is the Fewer Floods, Safer Ontario Act, 2022.