Vic Toews, Canada’s Public Safety Minister, announced the creation of a contribution program, Financial Support to Provinces and Territories for 2011 Flood Mitigation Investments, to support affected provinces for the cost of permanent flood mitigation measures taken in 2011. MP Toews was accompanied by Shelly Glover, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface.
“The Harper Government is committed to building stronger and safer communities,” said Minister Toews. “Following the unprecedented flooding in the spring and summer of 2011, our Government committed in Economic Action Plan 2012 to support the proactive steps taken by provinces to mitigate expected flood damages, through the contribution program, Financial Support to Provinces and Territories for 2011 Flood Mitigation Investments.”
Flood mitigation measures are intended to eliminate or reduce the impact of flooding–before it occurs–to protect lives, property, the environment and to reduce economic disruption. Examples of flood mitigation measures, which could be cost shared, are structural (e.g., raising dikes or installing culverts) and non-structural (e.g., flood plain mapping or risk assessments.)
The federal government will continue to work with provinces and territories on mitigation initiatives, recognizing that mitigation can lessen the impact of natural disasters on vulnerable communities and reduce the costs associated with these events.
For more information on Public Safety Canada and emergency management in Canada, please visit: www.publicsafety.gc.ca. For information on how to prepare for emergencies, including floods, and other safety-related information visit: www.getprepared.gc.ca.
