Flood Tips with Your Tax Bill

Summary#

• This Ontario bill creates a yearly Flooding Awareness Week and makes the province share clear, practical flood-prevention advice with the public.

• It focuses on education, not new rules. The goal is to help people prepare for floods and reduce damage, especially from basement flooding.

• Declares the fourth week of March as Flooding Awareness Week.

• Requires the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to post flood-preparedness information on a Government of Ontario website (how to prepare, prevention steps, where to find help, FAQs).

• Requires the Minister to mail the same information each year to every household in areas without municipal government.

• Requires all municipalities, including Toronto, to include flood information with any property tax bill.

• Timing: The week is recognized as soon as the law takes effect. The website and mail/inserts start three months after the law takes effect.

What it means for you#

• Homeowners and renters

  • You will have a provincial website with plain tips on how to prepare for floods and reduce damage.
  • Expect more public reminders during the fourth week of March each year.
  • This bill does not force you to make changes; it provides information and guidance.

• Property taxpayers

  • You will receive flood-prevention materials in the same envelope as your municipal property tax bill (for every tax bill sent).

• Residents in territories without municipal organization

  • The province will mail flood information to your household every year.

• Municipal governments (including Toronto)

  • Must include provincial flood information with every tax bill sent to taxpayers.
  • Will rely on provincial content for consistency, but will handle printing and inserting materials.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Getting practical advice to people before spring thaw can prevent damage and stress.
• Supporters say small, low-cost steps at home can avoid big losses. The bill notes basement floods can be very costly on average.
• A single, province-wide source of information reduces confusion and helps people know where to get help.
• Mailing to households in unorganized areas ensures remote residents are not left out.
• Better awareness could lower insurance claims and reduce pressure on emergency and city services during storms.

Opponents' View#

• Printing and inserting materials with every tax bill could add costs for cities, with no new funding provided.
• The bill focuses on education, not fixing root causes like aging sewers or stormwater systems.
• Renters who do not receive tax bills might be missed unless they see the website or public messages.
• Some cities already provide flood-prevention tips; this could duplicate efforts or add paper clutter to mailings.