The Honourable Vic Toews, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, announced an advance payment of $50 million in federal support for the Province of Manitoba, under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) program, for response and recovery costs incurred by the Province following the 2011 spring flood.
“This year has been challenging for the Province of Manitoba, and the response and recovery expenses incurred throughout the spring and summer related to flooding have been significant,” said Minister Toews. “This first payment of $50 million dollars demonstrates our government’s commitment to helping Canadians and their communities recover when natural disasters strike.”
“The unprecedented 2011 spring flood will go down in history as one of the worst floods our province has ever seen, and for some the flood is still not over – many evacuees have yet to return home,” said Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton, minister responsible for emergency measures. “We’re grateful for the help and support of Manitobans, the Canadian Forces and the Federal Government as we continue to work together providing flood recovery assistance. On behalf of my colleagues at the legislature, we’re pleased to receive the initial payment of $50 million under the Disaster Financial Assistance Program.”
The Government of Canada, through Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, has also provided an additional $63.6 million for flood protection and recovery costs to first nations who were impacted by the flooding.
“This year’s flood has had a significant impact on First Nations communities in Manitoba. Ensuring the safety of First Nations residents has been our highest priority,” said the Honourable John Duncan, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. “We have also worked to protect property and infrastructure on reserves. The funding provided to date has gone to important preparedness and response activities such as dikes, sandbagging, as well as emergency planning.”
The 2011 spring break up in major watersheds throughout the Province of Manitoba caused severe flooding which damaged private property, provincial and municipal infrastructure and resulted in the evacuation of several communities and approximately 6,000 residents.
Since its inception in 1970, the DFAA program has provided more than $2 billion in disaster financial assistance to the provinces and territories. For more information on the federal DFAA program and its guidelines, please visit Public Safety Canada’s website.
For information on how to prepare for emergencies including severe flooding, Canadians can follow us on Twitter @Get_Prepared or visit www.getprepared.gc.ca.
