Compensation

Compensation for artificial flooding is a major concern for residents of the Red River Basin. In March, 2004, the province introduced the Red River Floodway Act to help address this issue. It allows those who suffer property damage and/or economic loss from artificial spring flooding on the Red River to claim compensation, including individuals, farms, businesses, non-profit organizations and local authorities. This compensation is in addition to the assistance available under other government flood protection and damage programs.

The compensation program will:

• cover a much broader range of damage and loss, with the goal of restoring claimants to their pre-flood financial position
  
  
• have no claim limit and no deductible
  
  
• be assessed on proof of loss rather than proof of repair or replacement, providing better response times
  
  
• establish improved appeal procedures

Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization will administer the new compensation program, providing claimants with a single claim procedure.

Once the floodway expansion is completed, the need for artificial flooding should be minimal. Flood protection rather than flood compensation is always the primary goal in an emergency.