Ontario Supporting Ice Storm Recovery in NorthumberlandPeterborough South

Pete Fisher
3 days ago
• Categories: Local

MPP David Piccini and Ontario’s Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response Jill Dunlop recently saw firsthand in Otonabee-South Monaghan how investments from Ontario are better protecting communities across the province to prepare, plan, mitigate, respond, or recover from any emergency.

To protect Ontario and keep communities safe, the government is providing up to $649,000 for ice storm assistance in NorthumberlandPeterborough South. The funding is part of Ontario’s $90 million Municipal Ice Storm Assistance program and will help cover clean-up and emergency response costs due to a severe winter weather event on March 28, 2025.

“Rural communities like ours felt the impact of the March 2025 ice storm in a big way,” said David Piccini, Member of Provincial Parliament, Northumberland-Peterborough South. “Our government is committed to protecting and supporting rural Ontario, especially in times of need. I am incredibly proud of the strength of our community during the storm. The Municipal Ice Storm Assistance program will ensure municipalities are able to recover and rebuild from the impacts of the storm, ensuring we are more resilient.”

The March 28, 2025, storm resulted in widespread damage, leaving nearly 400,000 homes and businesses without power across central and eastern Ontario. In parts of Northumberland-Peterborough South, the storm resulted in thousands of residents to lose power. The accumulation of ice on trees resulted in trees falling, causing significant damage to homes and vehicles, and roads blocked by downed power lines.

The following municipalities are receiving funding:
**all costs are after cost-sharing
Alnwick/Haldimand 31,000

Asphodel-Norwood 181,000

Cramahe 61,000

Otonabee-South

Monaghan 176,000

Township of Hamilton 33,000

Trent Hills 167,000
“Our government will always protect Ontario, especially in times of need,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “The relief being announced today will safeguard local jobs and help Northumberland-Peterborough South rebuild – stronger than ever.”

In June 2025, the Ontario government launched the Municipal Ice Storm Assistance program and Business Ice Storm Assistance program to help communities impacted by the storm.

QUICK FACTS
• The province’s Business Ice Storm Assistance program is providing 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

“As a smaller, rural municipality with over 200km of roads to maintain, this grant goes a
long way to finance our operation crew’s effective and immediate work clearing downed
tree limbs and debris. The work was completed in record time ensuring the safety of our
residents and facilitating the timely resumption of electrical power.”
– Mandy Martin, Mayor, Township of Cramahe.

“The Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan extends its sincere appreciation to MPP
David Piccini and Premier Ford for the provincial funding support of $176,000 through
the MISA program to assist with clean-up and recovery costs related to the March 2025
ice storm. This severe weather event placed significant strain on our staff, municipal
resources, and the Township’s 2025 budget, and our community is still in the process of
recovering. This funding will make a meaningful difference as we continue those efforts.
Once again, the Province of Ontario has demonstrated its understanding of the
challenges faced by small, rural municipalities like Otonabee-South Monaghan and the
importance of having a strong and reliable provincial partner.”
– Joe Taylor, Mayor, Otonabee South Monaghan.

“On behalf of Council and the residents of Asphodel-Norwood, I extend our sincere
thanks to the Ontario Government for its support following the devastating ice storm of
March 2025. This was one of the most significant weather events our region has faced,
and this funding will help offset the costs of emergency response and recovery and ease
the financial impact on our residents. We are truly grateful for the Province’s support.”
-Patrick Wilford, Mayor Township of Asphodel-Norwood.

“On behalf of Council, I would like to thank the Province of Ontario for its support
through the Municipal Ice Storm Assistance Program. While the impacts in Trent Hills
were not as severe as in some other areas of the province, the March 28 storm still
resulted in impactful damage that required municipal response. This funding will assist
with recovery efforts, and we appreciate the Province’s continued support to
municipalities affected by this event.”
– Bob Crate, Mayor, Municipality of Trent Hills, Northumberland County Warden.

“The March 2025 Ice Storm tested our community, but our residents showed remarkable
resilience and support for each other while Township staff worked around the clock to
keep roads clear, remove downed trees, and keep essential services available. We are
grateful to the Ontario Government’s Municipal Ice Storm Assistance Program, which will
help offset cleanup and recovery costs. This support strengthens our ability to continue
supporting our residents, building on the sense of cooperation and support that got us
through this event.”
– Scott Jibb, Mayor, Township of Hamilton.

“The March 28, 2025, ice storm struck all parts of the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand
with a vengeance. Residents, utilities, and essential services including roads and
emergency response, were all heavily affected. The Township received a grant from
MISA to help offset the costs associated with opening warming centres at all fire halls,
as well as deploying additional public works crews to clear debris and remove barriers
from roadways. The six- to seven-day disruption in services, along with the strong sense
of teamwork and community support shown in assisting those in need, was remarkable
and will be remembered for a long time.”
– John Logel, Mayor, Alnwick/Haldimand.