09/18/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/18/2025 12:36
Strong, ON - The Ontario government is providing the Township of Strong and Township of Joly with up to $555,000 to help pay for emergency response costs and critical infrastructure repairs due to flooding that occurred in June 2024. The funding is being delivered through the Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance (MDRA) program and is part of the province's plan to protect Ontario with record investments in infrastructure that will help keep workers on the job and keep communities safe.
"Our government is stepping up to support our municipalities facing extensive damage due to unexpected natural disasters," said Graydon Smith, Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. "We're pleased to be providing financial support to help the Township of Strong and Township of Joly repair local infrastructure and help keep people safe."
On June 23 and 24, 2024, the Township of Strong and Township of Joly experienced torrential rain. Up to 85 mm of rain fell over a short period of time. The rainfall triggered sudden and unexpected flooding, resulting in road washouts and damage to culverts across both municipalities. Some roads were closed due to safety concerns.
"We're proud to stand with our municipal partners as they recover and rebuild. This funding will help ease the burden on these municipalities and ensure the safety and well-being of residents," said Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. "Ontario's MDRA program helps protect municipalities by helping to pay for extraordinary emergency response costs and damage to essential property or infrastructure that is due to a natural disaster."
"The flooding in June 2024 created significant challenges for our community, with damaged roads and culverts impacting residents and local services. We are grateful to the Ontario government for its financial support through the MDRA program, which will help Strong rebuild critical infrastructure and ensure the safety of our residents. This funding provides much-needed relief for our municipality as we recover from the impacts of this natural disaster."
- Tim Bryson
Mayor, Township of Strong
"In a township like Joly, even one natural disaster can stretch our resources to the limit. This assistance makes a real difference, not only in repairing the damage from last year's flooding, but also in giving our council and residents peace of mind that we're not alone when challenges like this arise. I want to thank Minister Flack and Associate Minister Smith and the office staff for all that they did. The Township really appreciates it."
- Brian McCabe
Mayor, Township of Joly
Preparing for an emergency
Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance Guidelines
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