City offers ‘compassionate grants’ to those with ice storm damage

Hamilton city councillors have moved to declare last weekend’s freezing rain storm a “disaster.”

READ MORE: City of Hamilton crews dealing with aftermath of spring ice storm

The designation allows residents who experienced flooding, especially along the Lake Ontario shoreline, to apply to the residential municipal disaster relief assistance program.

The city’s compassionate grant program offers a maximum $1,000 per resident.

Stoney Creek Coun. Maria Pearson admits that it’s a “pittance,” but still, “a little bit of help that we can provide” to a few dozen homeowners affected by a dramatic storm surge.

Coun. Chad Collins adds that he’ll be bringing a separate motion in regards to “millions” of dollars in needed repairs along the city’s waterfront trails.

READ MORE: ‘Potentially historic’ ice storm arrives in southern Ontario; closures, crashes reported

His motion will also ask staff to discuss the potential for design changes if “this sort of thing is going to happen on a regular basis.”

Collins notes there’s still a backlog of repairs to be completed after last year’s high water levels caused erosion damage along the shoreline.