OTTAWA – Ottawa’s council voted in favour of giving its flood-affected residents a break on taxes and rebuilding.

City Council today (May 8) approved giving more time to property owners affected by the current flooding to pay their 2019 property taxes. The final payment for property taxes this year is due on Thursday, June 20. Council is extending that due date to Thursday, Dec. 5 for owners whose dwellings were flooded.

Council also approved a motion to help residents in the flooded areas rebuild without needing to pay building fees or obtaining minor variances. A report detailing these changes will be prepared this summer for council’s consideration.

City manager Steve Kanellakos and Anthony Di Monte, general manager of Emergency and Protective Services, briefed council on the city’s response to the flooding and the ongoing state of emergency. The managers outlined the coordinated city team work underway and overwhelming community support to date. They also highlighted the next steps throughout the coming weeks as the city plans its recovery efforts.