Last spring a violent derecho caused massive destruction across Ontario including here in Orléans and rural east Ottawa. With winds up to 190 km/h, the powerful storm left a trail of destruction like nothing our city has ever seen or experienced. With extreme damage to private property, hydro infrastructure and Ottawa’s urban forest, the derecho was significantly worse than the 1998 Ice Storm and the 2018 tornadoes. Despite promises from the Premier to support the City with clean up costs, the Ontario Government has yet to provide financial assistance to the City or to individuals. The Province activated Disaster Relief for the town of Uxbridge but without explanation left Ottawa out. Stephen continues to fight to ensure our neighbours are helped and that Ottawa property taxpayers aren’t on the hook by themselves.

As reported in the Ottawa Citizen, while farmers in the region are still holding out hope, they still have yet to receive any support from the government of Ontario.

Stephen has repeatedly called on the government to support the residents of Ottawa the same way they did the residents of Uxbridge for the same storm.