February 16, 2007
Province Announces Disaster Financial Assistance Program for Northern Manitobans Affected by Flooding in 2005, 2006
THE PAS—A total of $750,000 will be made available for a Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) program for areas of northern Manitoba affected by flooding in 2005 and 2006, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Steve Ashton, minister responsible for the Emergency Measures Organization, announced here today.
“The impact of high water levels over the past two years has taken its toll on northern Manitoba,” said Ashton. “The provincial government worked closely with local officials to build emergency dikes to protect communities such as The Pas, the RM of Kelsey and Pukatawagan.”
Disaster financial assistance is generally available for evacuation costs, costs to prevent or limit imminent damage, and for non-insurable damage to important property such as principle residences and buildings essential to the operation of eligible farms and small businesses.
“Even though the dikes prevented what could have been catastrophic levels of damage, the flooding still created a need for provincial disaster assistance,” said Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Oscar Lathlin.
Application forms and further details about the program are available online at http://www.manitobaemo.ca or by contacting the Emergency Measures Organization at 204-945-3050 or toll-free at 1-888-267-8298. Applications are also available at most municipal offices.
The total cost of this program is not expected to reach the minimum threshold for federal cost sharing required under the national Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements. However, the Government of Canada will be advised of Manitoba’s decision to provide disaster financial assistance in case actual costs exceed the current estimate.
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