Toronto flooding a ‘significant event,’ need to step up climate change fight: Trudeau

Massive flooding that deed nan Greater Toronto Area connected Tuesday was a “significant event,” underscoring nan request to measurement up Canada’s conflict against climate change, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.

The storm, which knocked retired powerfulness for tens of thousands of people, flooded a awesome road and a cardinal transit hub successful Toronto amid rainfall warnings for overmuch of confederate Ontario.

It was nan 2nd consecutive time of torrential downpours for nan metropolis and region.

Speaking successful Toronto connected Wednesday, Trudeau lauded nan efforts of first responders, metropolis workers and hydro staff.

“It was a important event,” he said.

“And I want you to cognize that we’re each location to activity together to make judge that, not conscionable group get supported done this, but that this happens much and much infrequently successful nan coming years.”

Trudeau said much utmost upwind events — for illustration nan Toronto floods — are expected owed to ambiance change, and item nan value of investing successful climate-resilient infrastructure.

“The reality is … that pinch ambiance change, they’re going to beryllium much utmost upwind events,” he said.

“So, we request to proceed to measurement up successful our conflict against ambiance change.

“We besides request to proceed to beryllium making investments successful resilient infrastructure that tin grip what nan early is holding.”

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On Wednesday, cleanup crews worked to get nan GTA backmost to normal.

Tuesday’s deluge caused commuter havoc, pinch monolithic flooding shutting down respective awesome routes and terminals, including Toronto’s Union Station, Don Valley Parkway and Lake Shore Boulevard.

All person since reopened aft nan floodwaters dispersed.

Meanwhile, Toronto Hydro said astir 3,300 customers remained without powerfulness Wednesday greeting and restoration efforts are ongoing.

— pinch files from Global News’ Gabby Rodriguez and The Canadian Press