Officials in Ottawa will consider the possibility of installing large-scale generators at gas stations and high-rise buildings after the devastating storm that left thousands of customers without electricity for more than two weeks.

The Ottawa City Council has agreed to make things a little easier for residents who are repairing their properties due to damage caused by the "Derricho" storm that occurred on May 21.

In the same context, the City of Ottawa will waive demolition fees, building permits, access to historical building permit records, and other fees.

For her part, a member of Cumberland City Council, one of the most affected areas, submitted the proposal and said she heard of some other helpful suggestions that will also make it easier for residents to find solutions to their problems caused by the storm.

She added: "Unfortunately, people learn the hard way what their insurance covers and what it does not."

The upcoming Ottawa City Council meeting on June 22 is also scheduled to include several storm-related topics, including the annual report from Hydro Ottawa and a report on regulations concerning backup generators in high-rise buildings and gas stations.

Stephen Willis, the General Manager of Planning, Real Estate, and Economic Development in the City of Ottawa, clarified.

He said, "The fact is that there are different rules for generators in buildings depending on the age of the building, so if the building was constructed in the sixties, it was subject to one set of rules, and if it was built in the first decade of the twenty-first century, it will have a different set of rules."

He explained to reporters that the city is likely to discuss with the province to coordinate rules and systems to make the energy system more resilient.

For his part, Mayor Jim Watson said, "We have seen many examples, especially of seniors, who were in high towers, 12, 13, 14 floors high, and they could not go down to buy groceries, let alone climb the stairs." "At least there should be some solutions to keep the elevators running during an emergency."

Editing: Dima Abu Khair