The Town of Brighton has decided not to pursue civil action for the municipality’s losses relating to Lake Ontario shoreline flooding.
Unprecedented water levels on Lake Ontario in 2017 and 2019 resulted in serious damage to shorelines and wetlands from flooding and erosion.
Last year, as a result of ongoing consultation, Brighton Council retained the firm of Baker-McKenzie to determine the viability of the municipality pursuing a potential civil claim to recoup some of its losses.
Legal counsel first reported last fall and after presenting an updated report and recommendations to council on Tuesday, Mayor Brian Ostrander says they decided against pursuing civil action at this time.
“We know that our friends in the States have tried to file a lawsuit. They’re having difficulty themselves and things are a lot easier to do down there than they are up here. The cost associated with filing a suit against the IJC would have been much more than probably we would have realized in damages.”
“We’re not surprised. We had some hope but at the end of the day we knew it was an uphill battle but it was a battle we were willing to at least investigate on behalf of our residents and business owners along the lake shore.”
Mayor Ostrander states council remains committed to working with federal partners to see relief for Lake Ontario shoreline flooding while continuing to advocate for a better lake level management plan that protects the shores of the Brighton community.