Home Newsroom 2006 News releases 2006-08-10: Government of Canada to assist Manitoba with flood recovery

Government of Canada to assist Manitoba with flood recovery

Winnipeg, August 10, 2006 -- The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, today announced that the Government of Canada has executed an Order in Council authorizing the provision of financial assistance, under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA), to the province of Manitoba for spring 2006 flooding.

“The government’s disaster recovery assistance will help Manitoba rebuild public infrastructure and repair uninsurable private property damaged by the spring’s Red River flood,” said Minister Day. “We will continue to work closely with the provinces and territories to assist Canadians when natural disasters strike,” he added.

Through the DFAA, the federal government provides basic financial assistance to help provincial governments meet the costs of disasters which exceed what they might reasonably be expected to bear on their own.

“I’m proud of the speed and responsiveness the new government has shown in getting help to Manitobans affected by flooding,” said the Hon. Vic Toews, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. “This assistance will make a real difference to Manitoban families,” he added.

Since its inception in 1970, the DFAA have provided $265 million in assistance to the Province of Manitoba. The first payment was for the 1974 flood, in the amount of approximately $11 million.

The DFAA are the primary mechanism through which provinces and territories may seek financial assistance from the Government of Canada for eligible costs associated with disaster response and recovery. The objective is to assist provincial and territorial governments in helping to return public infrastructure and private properties to their pre-disaster condition.

For further information:

Media Relations
Public Safety and Emergency
Preparedness Canada
613-991-0657

Mélisa Leclerc
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Stockwell Day
Minister of Public Safety
613-991-2863