CEO's Message

Since its completion in 1968, the Red River floodway has saved Manitobans more than $10 billion in flood damage. During the 1997 "Flood of the Century", the capacity of the floodway was pushed to its limit.

To better protect southern Manitoba residents into the next century, the Red River Floodway is being expanded. Once completed, the expanded floodway will protect residents from a repeat of the 1997 "Flood of the Century" and will also provide protection against an 1826 flood - the largest in Manitoba's history. Floodway expansion complements the $130 million in flood protection measures - $110 million for rural residents in the Red River Basin- already invested by the Canada and Manitoba governments since 1997.

By significantly increasing flood security, the Red River Floodway Expansion Project will dramatically improve the quality of life for all Manitobans. It will also yield long lasting benefits for all Manitobans including recreational opportunities, jobs & economic growth, environmental protection and improved public infrastructure.

Since January 2004, we have sponsored numerous public open houses and consulted extensively with local municipal governments. We have invited grassroots organizations to provide their input on a wide variety of issues, from groundwater and drainage to recreation and economic development opportunities. The result is a improved project design that is sensitive to local concerns and protects the environment. As our public consultation proceeds, we will continue to make sure that this process is inclusive, innovative and informative. As we move forward on this historic initiative, we look forward to working with you to ensure that you have an opportunity to help shape the future of your community for generations to come.

This web-site will assist us in this effort. As the project proceeds, we will be updating this site on an ongoing basis. We invite you to monitor this site for updates on the project.

As chief executive officer of the Manitoba Floodway Authority, I want to assure you that the MFA is committed to completeing the project in a timely manner. We look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.

Yours truly,

Ernie Gilroy
CEO