District of Muskoka seeking provincial funding to help with recovery costs from the ice storm

The storm cost the District over $1.4 million

District of Muskoka Council agreed to seek provincial funding to help with recovery costs from the ice storm last winter, in the July 21, 2025, meeting.

According to the staff report the provincial government recently announced a program called the Municipal Ice Storm Assistance (MISA) for the ice storm that occurred last March.

Municipalities interested in the project are required to formally request assistance for costs related to the storm to determine eligibility.

The District has determined they have eligible costs linked to the storm, and staff recommended that Council agree to apply for the funding to help cover the “extraordinary costs.” They said the storm nearly cost $1.4 million.

They explained that the program shares costs with municipalities at a 75%-25% ratio, with the province covering the larger amount.

If approved, the District will receive over $1 million “and have a positive impact on our 2025-year end,” said staff.

Councillor, Heidi Lorenz, indicated that the District took a “conservative” approach, compared to area municipalities who “jumped in and offered Cadillac services.” She inquired about whether the District would have still been eligible for provincial support had they taken that approach instead of “trying to be fiscally conservative for the clean up.”

Staff expressed the importance of acknowledging that the provincial project is a cost sharing formula between municipalities and province.

They acknowledged that they took a “conservative approach to managing the storm,” however, they weren’t aware that funding support would be available, which they are pleased about.

Chair, Jeff Lehman, concurred that the province didn’t announce the project assistance until June, and the only other help available to municipalities prior to that was for more broader disaster recoveries, which the District wouldn’t have been eligible for. However, this could change with the weather impacting municipalities more often.

Lorenz indicated, “It would be nice to know we will be paid back” ahead of time. She said 25% of $10 million is still $2.5 million going forward.

Staff will submit an application to the province and report that approval will be based on agreements to the satisfaction of the District Solicitor.