The Ontario government is launching two one-time financial assistance programs to support communities impacted by the March 28, 2025 ice storm. The Municipal Ice Storm Assistance program will help municipalities pay for emergency response and clean-up costs and the Business Ice Storm Assistance program will help small businesses, small farms and not-for-profit organizations pay for costs not covered by private insurance.
"Our government is stepping up to provide impacted communities with the resources they need to recover and rebuild," said Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. "These new programs will deliver critical financial support to help make communities safe, protect local jobs and get businesses back on their feet."
The March 28, 2025 storm impacted a wide area of central and eastern Ontario, leaving nearly 400,000 homes and businesses without power. Eligible small businesses, small farms, not-for-profit organizations and municipalities have until October 31, 2025 to apply for financial support under the programs.
Eligibility, program guidelines and application details for the assistance programs are posted online on the Municipal Ice Storm Assistance program and Business Ice Storm Assistance program webpages.
Quick Facts
- The Municipal Ice Storm Assistance program will help affected municipalities with emergency response and recovery costs, including clean-up of fallen trees and making communities safe from hazardous branches along roads and paths. The amount of funding will be based on eligible municipal costs.
- The Business Ice Storm Assistance program will provide up to $5 million for small businesses, small farms and not-for-profit organizations to assist with storm-related clean-up and essential repairs not covered by insurance.
Quotes
"Municipal governments are on the front-lines in responding to emergencies and disasters resulting from extreme weather events. The ice storm of 2025 is a prime example. Help from the Municipal Ice Storm Assistance program and the Business Ice Storm Assistance program is welcome, as it will help to offset some of the significant costs from the response and clean-up efforts."
- Robin Jones, AMO President and Mayor of Westport
"In the immediate aftermath of the ice storm, our government deployed Ontario Corps within 24 hours to assist with urgent tasks like debris removal, meal delivery and mental health and wellness checks. Now, we're stepping up again with critical financial support to help municipalities and businesses recover as soon as possible and get back to normal."
- Jill Dunlop, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response
Additional Resources
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