Province Rejects Flooding Relief Request: Merulla

The city is apparently on its own in paying for more than 20 million dollars in recent flood damage.

Councillor Sam Merulla says that he has recieved word from Queen's Park, that the provincial government is rejecting Hamilton's request for emergency disaster relief funding.

Merulla calls it a "betrayal" to believe "that it can be within the where-with-all of the city" to deal with the damage.

Hamilton City Council has already finalized a pair of compassionate relief programs, including one thousand dollar grants for every home affected by this summer's flooding and up to five thousand dollars for all homeowners denied sewer backup coverage.

A third program, through which the city will install mainline backwater valves, and carry out other preventative work where necessary, is expected to recieve final approval on Wednesday night.