Jagmeet Singh calls for urgent support for GTA food banks damaged by flash flooding

TORONTO — On Friday, Canada’s NDP leader Jagmeet Singh wrote to Justin Trudeau urging his government to release immediate support for food banks hardest hit by the recent flash flooding in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Singh was in Toronto on Thursday when he met with Torontonians impacted by the extreme weather, and staff at the North York Harvest Food Bank that was gravely damaged by the flooding that hit the GTA last week.

“I met with some of those impacted. Seniors living in a flooded co-op who are forced to shower in the school bathrooms,” wrote Singh in his letter to Trudeau. “Food banks that had to throw all their chicken, milk and eggs out. Your government needs to step up to support them.”

In his letter, Singh also called on the government for financial support for damaged homes, to streamline the National Flood Program to insure properties that need it and to increase funding to help the city of Toronto and communities of all sizes across the country to adapt their infrastructure to withstand flooding and protect people’s homes.

“Over the years, your government has consistently delayed climate action and support for everyday people feeling the impacts, while Pierre Poilievre prefers to deny the problem and threatens more Conservative cuts,” added Singh. “I hope you'll act with the necessary speed this time.”

Singh's letter can be read here.