“Neighbours are stepping up for one another, but charity cannot replace the province’s responsibility. Doug Ford needs to stop drawing arbitrary lines and make sure every Ontarian affected by these floods gets the support they need.” – Ontario Official Opposition and NDP Leader Marit Stiles
A Message from Ontario’s Official Oppositon NDP Party
Posted August 28th, 2026 on Niagara At Large
Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles
QUEEN’S PARK– Ontario NDP and Official Opposition Leader Marit Stiles, along with NDP MPPs Jennie Stevens (St. Catharines) and Chandra Pasma (Ottawa West–Nepean) and Wayne Gates (Niagara Falls) have called for the immediate expansion of the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontario (DRAO) to support residents, small businesses, farms and not-for-profit organizations impacted by the flooding in Ottawa, St. Catharines, the Niagara region and greater Sudbury region.
“Families and businesses impacted by flooding should not have to fight the government to get help,” said Stiles.
“Neighbours are stepping up for one another, but charity cannot replace the province’s responsibility. Doug Ford needs to stop drawing arbitrary lines and make sure every Ontarian affected by these floods gets the support they need.”
“Ottawa experienced 167 millimetres of rain on July 1, and after intense flooding, residents shouldn’t be told they don’t qualify for support because of the path water took into their home, or because they live in communities that were on the wrong side of a border, such as Crystal Beach, Crestview, Briargreen or Britannia,” said Pasma. “This government claims they’re always cutting red tape, except that’s all Ottawa residents can see when seeking help to rebuild their lives.”
“St. Catharines families and businesses are still dealing with the damage from three separate flooding events,” said Stevens. “They need support now, not months from now. The Ford government must make sure no one in St. Catharines or across Niagara is left behind. Enough of forcing those impacted by the floods to organize fundraisers and navigate complex and lengthy systems, this government needs to provide support immediately.”
“Niagara families, businesses, including farmers are facing serious uncertainty as a result of these floods,” said Gates. “We need the Ford government to stand up for Niagara farmers, expand the DRAO program urgently so farmers can start getting back on their feet.”
The Ontario NDP has written to Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Rob Flack, calling for the government to:
- * Immediately expand DRAO coverage to all residents, small businesses, farms, and not-for-profit organizations in Ottawa, St. Catharines the Niagara region, and the Greater Sudbury region who are impacted by the recent flooding.
- * Expedite the assessment and approval of DRAO applications so that affected residents and communities can begin their recovery as fast as possible.
- * Provide clear communication to affected residents, businesses, and municipalities about eligibility and the assistance available to them.
The full letter is available here (https://mcusercontent.com/353019c4e982ae7eb8ea53150/files/0b2c16a7-3145-2ae8-eb0f-88a122fe0b55/2026_08_26_ONDP_Caucus_Disaster_Recovery_Assistance_Funding_Letter.01.pdf) .
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