At Queen’s Park, Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Percy Hatfield said that Windsor residents are frustrated with recurring flooding in their communities and will need the provincial government to offer insurance to those who cannot qualify for private coverage.
Record rainfall late August was just the beginning of Windsor’s problems. For many, it was the second time they had suffered flooding in the last 12 months, and not everyone had fully recovered from the last inundation. Some insurance companies operating in the area do not cover recurring flooding, which left a good number of local homeowners without coverage. The provincial flood program approved two weeks ago also does not cover sewer backups.
“People in Windsor are angry and disappointed with the government’s response to the recent flooding disaster,” the MPP said during the questioning period. “The minister of Municipal Affairs said private insurance was readily available. The
Insurance Bureau of Canada told him he was wrong.”
Windsor Star reported that Hatfield had asked that the Wynne government to come up with a definitive plan for flood victims in Windsor.
“Extreme weather events are hitting all parts of Ontario,” he stated. “Natural disasters caused by heavy rains are occurring too frequently. This government is downloading the effects of climate change on to ordinary citizens. How will the premier close the gap in coverage between private insurance and the government’s disaster assistance recovery program?”
In less than two months, the Windsor area was hit by torrential downpours twice, which led to severe flooding. As many as 5,000 homes in the region were flooded.
Related stories:
Flood-affected Windsor-Essex homeowners now eligible for disaster relief
Many fail to qualify for Windsor-Essex flood relief
