Ontario Mobilized to Assist in Toronto and Southern Ontario

TORONTO – Toronto and much of Southern Ontario is spending Christmas in the hard work of recovering from the ice storm. Premier Wynne stated, “As I’ve visited warming centres, talked to first responders, hydro workers and volunteers, I’ve seen the very best of the people of Ontario. Through very difficult circumstances, people have come together to help friends and neighbours in need. I’m grateful to everyone, including those who have come from across the province and outside of Ontario to help keep us safe and restore power”.

“I’m encouraged by the progress we’ve seen, particularly in the last 24 hours, but more work lies ahead. We won’t rest until everyone’s power is restored.” added the Premier.

Hydro and Emergency workers across Ontario are working around the clock to respond to the ice storm that is still affecting parts of the province.

The Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management is coordinating resources across government and working closely with our partners to help restore power and services to all affected communities and keep people safe.

POWER RESTORATION

At the start of the ice storm, over 600,000 customers were without power.

Progress has been made but significant work remains to be done to bring the remaining impacted customers back online. Updates on power outages caused by the storm can be found on most local utility websites or at http://www.ontario.ca/warning.

Hydro utilities in impacted areas are working to get the power back on as soon as possible. In addition, hydro crews from less affected areas of the province and utilities that have completed their restoration efforts are being brought in as they become available to help restore power as quickly as possible.

Customers still without power:

Hydro One: 24,000 customers (120,000 at peak)

• Bolton: 2,415 customers
• Brockville: 3,000 customers
• Dundas: 4,901 customers
• Guelph: 7,296 customers
• Listowel: 818 customers
• Orangeville: 4,404 customers
• Peterborough: 1,470 customers

Toronto Hydro: 72,200 customers (300,000 at peak)

Other utilities:

• Brampton (Hydro One Brampton): 1,400 customers
• Halton Hills Hydro: 2,500 customers
• York Region (Power Stream): 7,000 customers
• Durham Region (Veridian): 4,000 customers
• Milton Hydro: 1,000 customers
• Oshawa PUC: 2,000 customers

**Please note that information comes from a variety of sources and is subject to frequent change as restoration efforts progress and weather develops.

The Province is grateful to local electricity distribution companies across the province who have supported power restoration efforts in a number of different ways.

Toronto Hydro is receiving support from Hydro Ottawa, EnWin, Enersource, Manitoba Hydro and Sault Ste. Marie PUC.

Hydro One is receiving assistance from Woodstock Hydro, London Hydro, Tillsonburg Hydro, Festival Hydro, Sudbury Hydro, North Bay Hydro, Orangeville Hydro, Orillia Hydro, Midland Hydro, Haldimand Hydro, Norfolk Hydro, Peterborough PUC, Newmarket Hydro, Ottawa Hydro and Pembroke Hydro.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Several warming centres are open to give people a respite from the cold – 12 in the City of Toronto, in addition to thirteen Toronto Police Service facilities that have community rooms available for use 24/7 as warming centres.

Vaughan, Markham, Burlington, Hamilton, Brampton and the ! Town of Halton Hills are also operating warming centres. Ontario has placed provincial buildings on standby in case there is an overflow from city warming and reception centres.

Ontario has deployed its Emergency Medical Assistance Team (EMAT) to help take pressure off emergency rooms and give patients the care they need at this time. The EMAT is a mobile medical field unit that can be deployed anywhere in Ontario and provides a staging and triage base for patients. It comprises 15 staff representing different medical professions and is operating from Sunnybrook Hospital 24 hours a day.

The Ontario government is also working with municipalities and volunteer organizations to coordinate visits to seniors and other vulnerable individuals to ensure they are safe.

TRANSPORTATION

In Toronto, all TTC service is running.

Across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond, commuters on GO Transit can still expect service disruptions.

STAYING SAFE

• The Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC) constantly monitors evolving situations inside and outside of Ontario. It coordinates the government’s response to major emergencies and is staffed at all times.

• Steer clear of downed power lines. They could still be live and deadly even if they show no active danger signs.

• Carbon monoxide goes undetected and is deadly. Do not heat your homes with devices that are designed for outdoor use, particularly barbecues and outdoor generators. If you are using an outdoor generator, ensure that the exhaust fumes do not enter your home.

• Electrically connected smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms do not work when the power is out unless they have battery back-up, so make sure your home has battery-operated smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.

• Do not leave candles unattended and keep them away from children and loose fabrics. If possible, use f! lashlights instead of candles.

• Unplug all unnecessary appliances to protect them from potential power surges as hydro crews work to restore electricity. And make sure the stove is off. Leave on only select lights to let you know that you’re back up and running.

• Keep a few taps turned on to a trickle to prevent pipes from freezing.

• You can make the most of your cellphone battery by turning down the screen brightness and turning off functions such as Bluetooth, WiFi and location services.

• Take a moment to check on elderly neighbours and people with mobility issues.

• Visually check food for spoilage, but do not taste it. Generally food will keep for 24 to 48 hours, as long as you keep your refrigerator door closed.