Flooding Issues for Taxpayers

First we need to establish areas that need looking at through public advisment and consultation. Once that's done an enviromental engineer can look at possible solutions. In emergency situations the Township needs to do better, simply dropping off a truck load of sand and asking residents to obtain bags and fill them themselves is unacceptable. There needs to be a plan for emergencies and non-emergency situations.

Managing groundwater, shoreline dynamic risk, and localized stormwater flooding is a fundamental municipal responsibility. As Councillor, I am committed to proactive infrastructure planning, immediate local support, and aggressive provincial advocacy to secure funding for long-term solutions. Part 1: Proactive Steps to Prevent Flooding Issues Prioritize Strategic Drainage & Culvert Maintenance: Routine Ditch & Culvert Audits: Implement scheduled, proactive clearing and enlargement of municipal roadside ditches, swales, and culverts before spring thaws and heavy seasonal rain events, rather than reacting after water backs up. Infrastructure Modernization: Ensure capital asset management plans prioritize replacing aging, undersized storm infrastructure along vulnerable low-lying coastal and interior roads. Integrate Smart Groundwater & Environmental Management: Work directly with local conservation authorities and engineering experts to study water table fluctuations, catchment basins, and natural drainage corridors. Ensure municipal planning and site-alteration bylaws protect natural drainage paths, wetlands, and coastal buffers that absorb excess run-off, preventing artificial water redirection onto neighboring private properties. Part 2: Provincial Advocacy & Securing External Funding Direct Ministerial Engagement for Infrastructure Grants: I will push relentlessly to engage directly with key provincial leaders—including the Minister of Infrastructure and the Minister of Natural Resources—to ensure Tiny Township receives its fair share of provincial funding for flood mitigation and coastal resilience. Capitalize on Provincial Disaster & Infrastructure Programs: Actively pursue provincial funding programs (such as the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund and coastal hazard mitigation grants) to offload the financial burden of major stormwater upgrades from our local tax base onto provincial programs. Inter-Governmental Partnerships: Partner with neighboring Simcoe County municipalities and Conservation Authorities to present unified, shovel-ready drainage proposals to Queen's Park for multi-jurisdictional watershed solutions. Part 3: Actionable Support for Residents Experiencing Active Flooding Establish Rapid Municipal Response & Emergency Resources: Depot Assistance & Sandbag Stations: Ensure the Township provides readily accessible sandbag distribution stations at key municipal yards during high-risk spring or severe storm alerts. Dedicated Flooding Hotline: Streamline municipal public works response so residents dealing with active road washouts or municipal ditch overflows can reach emergency crews promptly. Provide Guidance & Assistance for Private Property Relief: Clear Action Guides: Create accessible online and printable guides walking residents through immediate steps during basement flooding—such as safe utility shut-offs, sump pump best practices, and emergency drainage options. Provincial Relief Advocacy: Actively assist affected communities in applying for provincial disaster relief funding (such as the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians program) when extraordinary weather events strike our region. Post-Event Review & Root-Cause Remediation: After any significant flooding event, conduct immediate municipal site reviews of affected neighborhoods to determine if public infrastructure failed or contributed to the issue, ensuring permanent engineering fixes are implemented rather than temporary patches. I can tell you right now, at the AMO in Ottawa Aug 2026, is the Minister of Natural Resources, for Farlaine Lake accepting a delegation? We asked for one. And is the Minister of Infrastructure, Todd McCarthy accepting the request for delegation for the flooding for the rest of Tiny? Todd has a property in Tiny! IF they refuse to accept this, and if I was elected. I would go knock on their doors to get an answer why are they ignoring us. The Aug. 5/26 counci meeting, there was NO mention that a delegation was accepted. I will find out. Karen Zulynik Candidate for Council, Township of Tiny

Flooding seems to be an increasing issue over the past few years and an emergency response policy needs to be established as well as a mitigation plan to address flood prone areas. Residents should not be left on their own to address the fallout and should be assisted by the Township in addressing clean-up and insurance claims.