Ontario activates Disaster Recovery Assistance program for Barrie tornado victims
Barrie residents impacted by a devastating tornado earlier this month will receive help from the province.
On Thursday, the Ontario government announced it was activating the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program for the south-end community.
The EF-2 twister that struck the Prince William Way area on June 15 had wind speeds of 210 km/h and caused a path of damage 12 kilometres long and 600 metres wide.
Currently, 70 homes have been deemed uninhabitable. Upwards of 200 more were damaged.
"Our government stands with the City of Barrie and the families and businesses impacted by this natural disaster," said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
The program helps residents with essential costs that aren't covered by insurance.
The DRAO assists with emergency expenses and the costs to repair or replace essential property after a natural disaster for a primary residence and its basic contents, a small business, farm or a rural, not-for-profit organization.
"We'll continue working in partnership with the city to help affected families, and businesses get back on their feet," Clark said.
More information on who is eligible for assistance and where the activation area is located is available here.
Residents with no insurance coverage or insufficient insurance coverage for essential costs will have until Nov. 26, 2021, to apply through the program.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Second Cup closes Montreal franchise over hateful incident
Second Cup Café has closed one of its franchise locations in Montreal following allegations of hateful remarks and gestures made by the franchisee in a video that was widely circulated online during a pro-Palestinian protest on Thursday.
Winnipeg police shoot, kill suspect after officer stabbed in the throat
A Winnipeg Police Service officer is recovering after he was stabbed in the throat Sunday evening.
Court hearing legal arguments in sex assault case of five hockey players
A London, Ont., judge is set to hear legal arguments today in the sexual assault case of five members of Canada's 2018 world junior hockey team.
Cargo ship runs aground in St. Lawrence River near Morrisburg, Ont.
A large cargo ship remains stuck in the St. Lawrence River after running aground on Saturday afternoon.
'It’s pretty emotional': N.B. family escape fire, plan to rebuild home
A family in Riverview, N.B., is making plans for Christmas and the future after escaping a fire in their home on Nov. 14.
Should sex abuse evidence set the Menendez brothers free? A judge will decide
A judge will decide Monday whether new evidence warrants a re-examination of the convictions of Erik and Lyle Menendez in the shotgun murders of their parents in their Beverly Hills home more than 30 years ago.
Dozens of people in Canada have scurvy, and it's because of food
A disease often thought to only affect 18th century sailors is reemerging in Canada.
opinion The hidden costs of owning a home in Canada
While buying a home is often touted as a way to save on your cost of living, the true cost of ownership goes beyond your monthly mortgage. Personal finance contributor Christopher LIew breaks down some of the less obvious financial obligations of home ownership.
B.C. man awarded $800K in damages after being injured by defective bear banger
A B.C. man has been awarded nearly $800,000 in damages as compensation for injuries he sustained from a defective bear banger, according to a recent court decision.