Toronto/CMEDIA: An update reportedly on the City of Toronto’s proposed expansion of the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program (BFPSP), one of the City’s key stormwater management initiatives, was provided today by Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow.
“Sump pumps and backwater valves might be the last thing on the mind for a family struggling to make ends mee…the Enhanced Basement Protection Subsidy Program will get homeowners up to $6,650 so they can afford to protect their homes and their families from the next big storm,” Olivia said.
Subject to approval by the Infrastructure and Environment Committee (IEC) this month and by Toronto City Council in November, this enhanced program will provide Toronto property owners more tools to protect their homes from basement flooding.
Following the basement flooding in more than 1,000 homes caused by heavy rainfall during the months of July and Aug 2024, existing programs were reviewed by the City staff and consulted with the public on new incentives to reduce stormwater runoff and basement flooding risks.
Five key changes to the BFPSP are being recommended by the staff, based on the consultation feedback and City Council direction, including:
- increasing the maximum subsidy per property from $3,400 to $6,650
- increasing backwater valve and sump pump subsidy amounts by 28 per cent to reflect inflation and market costs
- introducing a new Home Plumbing Assessment subsidy to help homeowners identify internal plumbing issues contributing to basement flooding
- allowing a second backwater valve subsidy for homes with multiple sewer connections
- adding a $300 subsidy for sump pump battery backup systems including retrofits
- extending the application period from one to two years after eligible work is completed.
These enhancements could be effective as early as Friday, May 1, 2026 subject to approval.
Established in 2007, the BFPSP provides flood protection measures to eligible residential property owners with subsidies to install that help protect against sewer backups and reduce flooding risks during severe storms.
With approximately 14 percent of Toronto’s residential properties participating, the program has received, to date approximately 59,000 applications and the City has issued nearly $86 million in subsidies.
