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Climate change is hitting home for Premier Dalton McGuinty this summer as his residence in Alta Vista has been flooded.
McGuinty told reporters at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference Tuesday that recent heavy rains in Ottawa have caused basement flooding in his home and he has called a contractor to repair the exterior foundation.
“When my son’s bed was floating I thought it was time to do something,” said a smiling McGuinty.
He said the flooding has not involved sewage and he isn’t certain when it began.
But he said the experience is a reminder that climate change is real and that it will mean more severe weather, rather than simply warmer weather.
Flooding has become a big issue this summer in Ottawa as a heavy rainstorm on July 24 caused extensive damage mostly in Kanata and Stittsville. For some furious residents in Kanata this was their third flood in 13 years and some cannot get insurance.
“We’ve had an extraordinary season this year when it comes to rain,” said the premier. “But I think most folks think this happens frequently enough in Ottawa that it’s time for us to find a way to come to grips with it.”
The city has been criticized for acting too slowly to help victims of the flooding and find out and correct problems with drainage in the hard-hit Glen Cairn area.
The city has been instructed by Environment Minister John Gerretsen to examine the issue of climate change as part of the research being done in advance of controversial development in Kanata West.
The city has also been recently criticized by Ontario Municipal Affairs Minister Jim Watson for not getting work done quickly enough to reduce sewage spills and overflows into the Ottawa River.
Asked about the city’s response on the river-pollution issue, McGuinty said: “In fairness, it’s something that’s troubled the city for a long time.
“I would encourage the city to do what they can and do it as quickly as they can.”