Evaluating property buyouts and disaster recovery assistance (Rebuild) options in Canada: A comparative analysis of Constance Bay, Ontario and Pointe Gatineau, Quebec

Abstract

How have property buyouts and disaster recovery assistance programs been implemented in Canadian communities? This paper compares contrasting policies and programs in two Canadian jurisdictions, Pointe Gatineau, Quebec and Constance Bay, Ontario—both of which experienced major flooding from the Ottawa River in 2017 and 2019. The floods highlighted the need for government interventions, including disaster recovery compensation and property buyouts, to support homeowners through the recovery process. This research adopts the Protect, Accommodate, Retreat and Avoid (PARA) framework to characterize and evaluate the different policy responses to the flood events in the two provinces in the broader context of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. Through qualitative research methods, the study assessed the strengths and weakness of the provincial policy responses, explained why different policies were created in Ontario and Quebec (despite sharing a common river and flood risks), described how the policy deployment strategies evolved and examined how the programs prompted homeowners to make the decision to either retreat or rebuild. Both case studies involved reviewing flood timelines and recovery efforts, examining the disaster recovery policies implemented and assessing the application of property buyouts in flooded communities. The case studies were then compared to draw out cross-case insights. The paper concludes with lessons for designing effective property buyout programs. This study is intended to assist policymakers to make informed, evidence-based decisions that can protect communities from inundations risks and build long-term resilience against flood hazards.