Ottawa waiving permit fees related to storm damage
The city of Ottawa is waiving the demolition and building permit fees for residents repairing homes and properties following the devastating storm nearly three weeks ago.
Homes and properties across the city were damaged by the May 21 storm with wind gusts of up to 190 km/h.
Council approved a motion from Coun. Catherine Kitts to suspend the following fees that property owners may be facing as a direct result of damage cause by the storm:
- Demolition fees
- Building Permit fees
- Fees relating to access historic building permit records
- Replacement fees for civic number blades.
Council also approved a motion directing Mayor Jim Watson to ask Premier Doug Ford to designate Ottawa as an area specifically affected by a natural disaster. The designation under the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians program allows homeowners, residential tenants and small businesses to submit claims to the Ontario government for financial assistance.
"The storm certainly touched every corner of the city, but as everybody knows certain areas were hit particularly hard," said Coun. Kitts. "Unfortunately, people are learning the hard way what their insurance does and doesn’t cover. Trees, for example, that didn't hit a structure aren't covered."
Kitts says "it's critical," for the municipality to appeal to the province for help for residents.
"There are residents and businesses that are hurting and rebuilding for a very long time," Kitts said.
At the next council meeting, councillors will discuss several storm-related motions that were tabled on Wednesday. Coun. Keith Egli will table a motion asking staff to look at requiring generators in multi-residential buildings with elevators and at gas stations. Coun. Rawlson King's motion recommends Ottawa Public Health "improve the ability to effectively communicate within the community during a crisis" and look at integrating the utility's crisis communications with the city's communication system.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Train derailed in Sarnia after colliding with a truck
Police are investigating after a transport truck collided with a train in Sarnia.
Fewer medical students going into family medicine contributing to doctor shortage
As some family doctors are retiring and others are moving away from family medicine, there are fewer medical students to take their place.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.