When is a state of emergency declared?
Emergency declarations can be made when the Head of Council, in consultation with the community's senior staff (known as the Community Control Group), determines that such action would be in the best interest of the municipality based on a perceived or apparent threat.
A state of emergency declaration would be considered if there was a situation or impending situation that:
- Threatened public safety, public health, the environment, critical infrastructure, property, and/or economic stability.
- Exceeded the capacity of the community's emergency response.
By declaring a state of emergency, the municipality is able to:
- Streamline its purchase/tender policies
- Extend Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage to volunteers
- Make claims for financial assistance for disaster recovery
All laws must still be obeyed during emergency situations by both the public and the municipality.
Declaring a state of emergency does not guarantee the municipality will receive financial assistance from the Provincial or Federal government for disaster relief. Municipalities must apply for financial assistance to the Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (MDRAP).
Residents who have experienced a loss in the aftermath of a natural disaster that causes costly, widespread damage to eligible private property may apply to the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians program.