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With rainfall totals in Montreal estimated at between 100 and 170 mm on June 20, 2026, residents in several West Island communities were once again forced to deal with flooded basements and lost possessions—and Pointe-Claire was no exception.
Faced with the prospect of losing insurance coverage, diminished home values, and a loss of livable residential space, residents voiced their concerns at the July 7 city council meeting, while the mayor and councillors explained the steps the city was taking to help what residents fear is becoming an annual occurrence rather than a once-in-a-century event.
Since September 2025, the City of Pointe-Claire has held several public meetings informing its citizens of measures they can take to protect their homes. These meetings have not only outlined measures residents can take to protect their homes but also provided information about the ongoing investments the city is making in municipal stormwater management infrastructure.
In addition to the information sessions, the city has been working to secure funding from the provincial government to strengthen the infrastructure on its territory, and the most recent news, likely to be of greatest value to residents of Pointe-Claire, is the new financial assistance program for stormwater management. In a July 8, 2026 press release, Mayor John Belvedere said that “This financial assistance program is a concrete measure designed to help residents reduce the impacts of heavy rainfall and support their efforts to better protect their homes, neighbourhoods, and the community as a whole.”
Part of the city’s action plan for adaptation to intense rainfall, this program is designed to provide financial support of up to $5,000 to qualifying owners of one and two-unit residential properties who carry out projects that improve rainwater management. This includes the non-common areas of townhouses, such as private basements, but not a shared garage.
By the end of summer, a service assessing and making recommendations for flood mitigation projects will be available in cooperation with Écohabitation, experts in renovation and climate change adaptation projects. The cost of Écohabitation’s services and advice will be deducted directly from the maximum payout of $5,000 funded by the program. The service is not compulsory, and residents who have their own plans can still apply for reimbursement through the financial assistance program. Details can be found on the city's website along with the application form.
Along with the financial assistance program, Pointe-Claire will also be the recipient of nearly $7 million in funding under the provincial OASIS program, which provides support to municipalities by helping them develop and implement plans in response to the challenges posed by climate change.
According to the city's website, "The funding will support the development of projects aimed at strengthening the resilience of the municipal network, particularly through sustainable solutions designed to mitigate the risks associated with heavy rainfall events and the implementation of green infrastructure to reduce the impacts of heat waves."
A special meeting will be held at City Hall on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, to clarify the eligibility requirements of Pointe-Claire’s financial assistance program for stormwater management and outline revisions to the program.