Archived News Releases

May 20, 2011

At a ceremony at the Legislative Building today, Premier Greg Selinger thanked the Canadian Forces on behalf of all Manitobans for their outstanding and ongoing assistance during the 2011 flood fight.

The premier noted that, although the flood fight is far from over, the situation along the Assiniboine has improved enough to allow for a gradual reduction of troops in the area while Canadian Forces remain engaged on many fronts including 100 troops in the St. Laurent area.

“Manitobans will never forget the unwavering support of the Canadian Forces during this unprecedented natural disaster,” said Selinger.  “Without hesitation, the Canadian Forces were here for us when we needed them and with their help we were able to avoid catastrophe on the Assiniboine River.  Although the flood fight is not over yet, particularly on Lake Manitoba, military assistance has helped us get through the worst.  On behalf of all Manitobans, I extend a sincere and heartfelt thank you to the women and men in uniform serving at home and abroad.”

The Government of Manitoba and Joint Task Force West, commanded by Brig.-Gen. Paul Wynnyk, have determined the needs identified in the Province of Manitoba's request for assistance to deal with flooding on the Assiniboine River have been met and the Canadian Forces presence can be scaled down over the coming days.

“We are proud to have the opportunity to help Canadians at home, working together to protect the homes and property of our friends and neighbours,” said Brig.-Gen. Wynnyk.  “The situation in southern Manitoba has improved to the point that we can begin to restage our forces.  An initial group of troops will start returning home in coming days.  As the numbers of troops required decreases, there will be a gradual restaging of deployed forces and equipment but, we will, as always, retain the ability to rapidly deploy forces anywhere they are needed within our area of operations.”

On May 8, as it became clear the volume of water forecast on the Assiniboine River was more than the provincial control system could handle, the Province of Manitoba requested the assistance of the Canadian Forces for their unique assets and skills to provide assistance to the province in its operations to mitigate the effects of the flood, the premier said.  Those operations included:

• provision of planning and co-ordination assistance;
• provision of support to preserve essential infrastructure, reinforce existing dikes, and observe and monitor the sandbag dikes;
• provision of essential logistical and material support; and,
• assistance in the voluntary evacuation of civilians where the flood posed a threat to their lives.

Brig.-Gen. Wynnyk said the response of Joint Task Force West to the flooding on the Assiniboine River, including rapidly deploying more than 1,700 personnel and seven aircraft from across Canada, demonstrates the ability of the Canadian Forces to quickly and decisively aid local and provincial governments to assist Canadians in trouble.

Many of the Canadian Forces personnel deployed in Manitoba for the past weeks live in this province.  They are based at Canadian Forces Base Shilo, along with naval and army reservists from units in Winnipeg, Portage la Prairie and Brandon, who live in communities across the province.

“We were impressed by the skill and knowledge of the provincial and municipal officials that we worked with.  Their knowledge, skills and experience, which they willingly shared with us, greatly improved the effectiveness of the Canadian Forces efforts.  We were able to work together with a strong team of experts and together we have been able to help improve the situation in southern Manitoba,” said Brig.-Gen. Wynnyk.  “The hospitality and friendliness shown by the people of Manitoba to my troops has been unparalleled.  Ordinary Manitobans have treated my soldiers to friendly waves and smiles, treated them to coffee and sandwiches, and treated them to every variety of baked good imaginable.  It has been clearly proven to me and to my soldiers why this province is known as Friendly Manitoba.  I sincerely hope that some of the friendships kindled here during Operation LUSTRE will continue and grow stronger.”

Officials with the Canadian Forces also noted that, in the coming days, Manitobans may see convoys of military vehicles on the highways across the prairies, as some of the troops and their equipment return to their garrisons.  “We have had a very successful operation and do not wish to mar that success with a vehicle accident, so I ask that if you do see military vehicles on the roads, please pass them with caution.”

Selinger noted that, in addition to today’s ceremony, Manitobans will have an opportunity to thank the Canadian Forces at special events being planned for Canadian Forces Day on Sunday, June 5. Manitobans can also leave a personal message of thanks to the Canadian Forces at www.Manitoba.ca/appreciation. 

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