A candidate for Windsor City Council would like to see increased support for homeowners who are tired of seeing their basements flood.
Ward 1 candidate Darcie Renaud said she has been talking to people who still get nervous every time heavy rainfall affects the area.
"I’ve spoken with residents who thought they had done everything they could to protect their homes and still experienced flooding," said Renaud. "That raised an important question for me, 'What happens when a homeowner has already installed the recommended protection and it isn’t enough?'"
While acknowledging that the City has taken significant steps to protect homeowners with the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program, Renaud said that is of little reassurance to people still having problems.
"This is about finding practical solutions to problems residents are dealing with in their homes and neighbourhoods," said Renaud. “The City needs to keep building the Sewer Master Plan. But homeowners can’t wait decades for protection. We can invest in the infrastructure Windsor needs for the future while giving residents better tools to protect their homes today."
If Renaud is elected next month, she said she will propose two updates to the program designed to help homeowners now.
The first would be to set up a Home Plumbing Assessment Grant for homeowners who have put the recommended safeguards in place, but continue to experience sewer backups.
The second would be an expansion of the basement subsidy program to include sewage ejector systems where a professional assessment determines one is needed, providing financial assistance toward the cost.
Renaud said residents need to find a way to deal with the problem until the long-term improvements are in place.
"This isn’t about choosing between infrastructure and homeowner protection. We need both. We need to keep building the Sewer Master Plan while also making sure homeowners have the best possible protection and support in the meantime," said Renaud.
The Ward 1 seat on City Council is open after incumbent Fred Francis decided to run for mayor.
Also running in Ward 1 are Henry DeCordova, Geoffrey Guttmann, Shezi Jaffri, Branda Juarez, Frank Providenti, and public school board trustee Linda Qin.
The election is Monday, October 26.
