The Ontario government is providing the Township of Nairn and Hyman with up to $90,000 in disaster recovery funding to support emergency response efforts and repairs to critical infrastructure following the July 2025 flooding. The funding is part of the Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance (MDRA) program, which helps municipalities cover extraordinary costs from natural disasters and is part of Ontario’s broader plan to strengthen infrastructure and protect communities.
On July 16, 2025, heavy rainfall caused significant flooding in the township, damaging roads, culverts, and other essential infrastructure. The MDRA funding will help offset these costs, enabling the township to rebuild stronger and recover without placing the full financial burden on local taxpayers.
Ontario officials emphasized the importance of supporting municipalities in the aftermath of natural disasters. Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack noted that the funding will help cover emergency response and repair costs, while MPP Bill Rosenberg highlighted the impact on families, businesses, and municipal infrastructure, stressing the government’s commitment to providing necessary support.
The MDRA program covers operating and capital costs exceeding regular municipal budgets that are directly linked to disasters, including damage to roads, bridges, and public buildings. Eligibility for funding requires that disaster-related costs reach at least three percent of a municipality’s own-purpose taxation levy. Local rainfall measurements recorded up to 102 mm in 24 hours, an event considered a 1-in-75 to 1-in-100-year occurrence by Environment Canada.
Mayor Amy Mazey expressed gratitude for the funding, noting that it allows the township to repair infrastructure, such as Minto Street, without overburdening local taxpayers, demonstrating the program’s role in helping small municipalities recover from unexpected disasters.
