July 17: The massive flooding that struck the Greater Toronto Area on Tuesday has been deemed a “significant event” by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, highlighting the urgent need to intensify Canada’s fight against climate change.
The storm, which led to power outages for tens of thousands, submerged a major highway, and flooded a key transit hub in Toronto, came amid widespread rainfall warnings for much of southern Ontario. This marked the second consecutive day of torrential downpours for the region.
Speaking in Toronto on Wednesday, Trudeau praised the efforts of first responders, city workers, and hydro staff for their swift actions during the crisis.
“It was a significant event,” Trudeau stated. “We need to work together to ensure not just immediate support for those affected, but also to make such events less frequent in the future.”
Trudeau emphasized that more extreme weather events, such as the Toronto floods, are expected due to climate change, underscoring the importance of investing in climate-resilient infrastructure.
“With climate change, we’re going to see more extreme weather events,” he said. “We must continue to intensify our fight against climate change and invest in resilient infrastructure to handle future challenges.”
Cleanup crews were busy on Wednesday, working to restore normalcy to the GTA. The flooding on Tuesday caused significant disruption for commuters, shutting down several major routes and terminals, including Union Station, Don Valley Parkway, and Lake Shore Boulevard. All have since reopened after the floodwaters receded.
Toronto Hydro reported that around 3,300 customers remained without power as of Wednesday morning, with restoration efforts ongoing.
