Article content continued

“We cannot put this on the back of the taxpayers,” Mr. Ford said of the ice-storm damage during a Thursday press conference. “It’s absolutely essential for Toronto to take a leadership role in requesting assistance for the region.”

On a morning tour with Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker of a ravaged Thompson Memorial Park in Scarborough, Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly agreed the city can’t bear the cost of the two storms alone. The extent of the damage to parks is not fully known, said parks, forestry, and recreation director Richard Ubbens, but “every species, every size and every shape” of tree was affected by December’s pounding.

It’s a bit awkward now to go to the province and say it’s not an emergency, but it’s a disaster

Getting both levels of government to consider the city a disaster zone may prove complicated, argued Mr. Kelly, since Mayor Ford never declared a state of emergency.

“I supported the declaration of a state of emergency,” he noted. “But it’s a bit awkward now to go to the province and say it’s not an emergency, but it’s a disaster.”

Mr. Pennachetti disagreed, and said that one doesn’t have anything to do with the other. If approved by city council, Toronto will join other neighbouring municipalities that are seeking access to the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program. Failing that, he recommends asking for any kind of financial aid.

“I don’t think there’s any disagreement that what occurred in southern Ontario is a disaster,” said Mr. Pennachetti. Mayor Ford, meanwhile, told reporters he did not see how his vow to find $50-million in savings to trim the property tax hike could weaken the city’s case for help.