August 27, 2010
Canada and Manitoba Invest in Stronger Flood Protection and Enhance Highways
– – –Joint Initiatives Aimed at Improving Flood Protection, Mitigation and Road Safety
Winnipeg, Manitoba - Manitoba residents will benefit from improved flood protection and safer highways thanks to a joint investment by the Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba. The majority of funding supports five key infrastructure initiatives including: new hydrometric network infrastructure to improve flood forecasting and emergency flood response; enhancements to provincial flood control works; the addition of gates to the Shellmouth Dam spillway; flood protection initiatives in Melita; and the construction of dikes in various flood prone communities north of Winnipeg.
The $29.7 million flood protection announcement was made today by the Honourable Greg Selinger, Premier of Manitoba, and the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety and the Member of Parliament for Provencher. At the same time, $10 million in joint funding was also announced towards road improvements, including seal-coating several kilometres of highway pavement per year, over four years. The combined investment total is over $39 million dollars.
“Having witnessed the importance of flood protection investments in the Red River Valley south of Winnipeg, we are now pleased to work together with our federal and municipal partners to extend that protection to other areas of the province,” said Premier Selinger.
“The Government of Canada is proud to support projects that will enhance the safety, security and quality of life of Canadians,” said Minister Toews. “By funding these high-priority initiatives, we are delivering on our commitment to provide greater safety for residents, as well as significant economic benefits for Manitoba.”
Funding for these initiatives comes from the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund (PT Base). The Government of Canada is working closely with the Government of Manitoba to ensure that infrastructure funds are spent on priorities throughout the province. Since 2007, Canada and Manitoba have agreed to share over $375 million in total eligible costs for initiatives under the PT Base Fund, with $175 million being provided by the Government of Canada, $197 million being provided by the Province of Manitoba and the balance being provided by third party proponents and municipalities.
Today’s announcement continues the important steps the Province of Manitoba is taking to support economic growth by investing $1.8 billion this year, into infrastructure to stimulate the economy and create jobs.
Across all of its funds, Infrastructure Canada has now committed approximately $10.2 billion towards over 6,100 infrastructure projects as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. When combined with the contributions of funding partners, there is close to $30.5 billion committed to infrastructure initiatives across the country.
The Government of Canada remains committed to assisting the Peguis community deal with reoccurring floods. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is already working closely with the First Nation, individual community members and the Province of Manitoba.
The Government of Canada is moving ahead with identifying 75 homes for protection or relocation. The Government of Canada will also look at more permanent protection while working with the First Nation and the province.
To learn more about Manitoba’s infrastructure projects, please visit www.infrastructure.mb.ca.
For further information, visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
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