Huntsville Council Urges Province to Act on Flooding Mitigation

The municipality is concerned that despite $4 million spent on studies, no actions have been taken

Huntsville Council agreed to urge the Province to act on flooding measures, in the June 22, 2026, meeting.

Council approved a resolution encouraging the Province to take immediate action to strengthen flood mitigation, improve watershed management and provide additional support for residents affected by this spring's flooding.

The resolution follows significant flooding during the spring freshet that caused extensive damage to municipal infrastructure, private property, businesses, roads and the natural environment while creating financial hardship, displacement and ongoing uncertainty for many residents.

According to the staff report, municipalities throughout the Muskoka River Watershed have repeatedly raised concerns about increasing flood frequency, changing climate conditions, watershed management practices and the need for more coordinated and transparent flood mitigation planning.

The resolution points to more than $4 million invested by the Province in 2021 to study the Muskoka River Watershed and identify opportunities to reduce flooding. While those technical studies have largely been completed, Council said many residents and municipalities remain concerned that the findings have not yet resulted in meaningful flood mitigation measures.

Council is asking the Province to honour previous commitments made in late 2024 and early 2025 to review and update the Muskoka River Water Management Plan and establish a formal implementation framework with clear deliverables, timelines, ministry responsibilities and regular public reporting.

The resolution also calls for one or more public information sessions within affected watershed communities to provide residents with information about water management decisions and operational considerations leading up to and during the spring freshet, while allowing residents and municipalities to ask questions and have their concerns placed on the public record.

In addition, Council is requesting the Province activate the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) and Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance (MDRA) programs for communities affected by the 2026 flooding and expedite approvals to ensure timely financial assistance.

The resolution also asks for an expansion of eligibility under the DRAO program to include seasonal and secondary residential properties, recognizing their importance to the local tax base and provincial economy.

Mayor, Nancy Alcock, indicated that other municipalities, including the District of Muskoka, Muskoka Lakes, and Gravenhurst so far, have also asked the Province to review the “rather outdated plan.”

She explained, “There’s been silence from the Province” after their commitment to review the plan and related studies.

She added, “There’s a real urgency for them to review this plan” given the spring flooding in the region.

Copies of the resolution will be forwarded to provincial ministers, local MPP Graydon Smith, municipalities throughout the Muskoka River Watershed, the District Municipality of Muskoka, First Nations and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.