With the power back on for most residents in the GTA, officials from Toronto Hydro have begun calculating the cost of clean-up after last weekend’s ice storm and estimate the bill could run up to $1 million a day.
Hydro officials say the majority of costs, which could total $10 million, were due to hiring of additional crews, obtaining materials and paying overtime to local city staff.
Many Hydro customers worry they will be left footing the bill with possible increases to their monthly bill.
“It is an awful lot of money,” said Toronto Hydro CEO Anthony Haines at a press conference Sunday.
“I would love to say that we can find it all in our budget and that there would be no impact on the customer,” Haines said. “That would be my desire, but I can’t say that at this point.”
Mayor Rob Ford told reporters the city has not yet calculated the financial impact of the storm. He has called a special city council meeting to ask for aid from the province.
“Exactly what we’re going to be asking for we’re not quite sure, but there is a disaster relief fund that we’re going to look into,” Ford said. “And from now until January 10, we’re going to discuss exactly the needs of our residents.”
Ford denied suggestions that declaring a state of emergency – as some on council pressured him to do -- would have made a difference in the rescue efforts.
“The state of emergency would not have sped up the process, would not have got funds here,” he said.
Other Developments:
-Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Toronto and most of the GTA. Possible freezing rain is forecasted to hit the area Sunday night. The weather agency warns that freezing drizzle could cause slippery conditions for motorists and pedestrians.
-The Toronto District School says nearly all of its facilities with childcare operations will be open on Monday. Broadlands, Fairmount and Hillmount facilities will remain closed, parents are asked to contact their childcare provider for more information.
-Premier Kathleen Wynne has released details about a food compensation plan set-up for residents who were forced to throw out food because of power outages caused by the ice storm. Wynne says grocery store gift cards will be available to over the next few days to residents who need them and is calling on individuals and companies to donate additional cards. Loblaw has already handed out more than $25,000 worth of gift cards, which the province hopes to match. The premier said details on how the cards will be distributed will be revealed in the coming days.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Colin D’Mello.
