Archived News Releases

Canada and Manitoba Commit Funding to Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin Outlet Channels Project in Manitoba

Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger was joined today by the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development) and Member of Parliament for Portage-Lisgar, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, to announce joint fundingto build the Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin outlet channels, which will help protect residents and communities in the Lake Manitoba basin from the impacts of chronic flooding. 

This project consists of the construction of an additional outlet channel from Lake Manitoba to Lake St. Martin and the conversion and enlargement of the Lake St. Martin emergency outlet channel. This includes the construction of a permanent structure at the start of the Lake St. Martin channel, as well as an enhancement of the outlet channel. The project also involves the construction of a permanently engineered channel with an outlet to Lake Winnipeg, bypassing Dauphin River First Nation. The permanent structure will significantly reduce the economic burden that chronic flooding has had on the Province of Manitoba.

Through the $4-billion National Infrastructure Component of the New Building Canada Fund, the Government of Canada is providing financial support for projects with far-reaching benefits for all Canadians. The Fund supports infrastructure of national significance that has a strong impact on Canada’s competitiveness, productivity and economic well-being.

Manitoba is investing $330 million in this project as part of its $5.5-billion, five-year core infrastructure plan that is committed to building and repairing roads, bridges and addressing the unprecedented flooding faced by Manitoba communities in many parts of the province.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada has selected this project for funding consideration for up to
  $165 million under the New Building Canada Fund’s National Infrastructure Component. This funding is conditional on the project meeting applicable federal eligibility requirements with respect to the New Building Canada Fund, the signing of a contribution agreement and Treasury Board approval.
• The Province of Manitoba will invest $330 million for the construction of the new Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin outlet channel, which has an estimated total cost of
  $495 million.
• The $53-billion New Building Canada Plan provides stable funding for a 10-year period and includes:
  • The Community Improvement Fund, consisting of the Gas Tax Fund and the incremental Goods and Services Tax Rebate for Municipalities, which will provide over $32 billion to municipalities for projects such as roads, public transit and recreational facilities, and other community infrastructure.
  • The $14-billion New Building Canada Fund, which consists of:
    • The $4-billion National Infrastructure Component that will support projects of national significance; and
    • The $10-billion Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component for projects of national, regional and local significance. Of this amount, $1 billion for projects in communities with fewer than 100,000 residents through the Small Communities Fund.
• An additional $1.25 billion in funding for the Public-Private Partnerships (P3) Canada Fund administered by PPP Canada.

Quotes

“With unprecedented chronic flooding facing our province, the new Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin outlet channels will protect the lives and livelihoods of Manitoba families living in the Lake Manitoba basin. As part of Manitoba’s $5.5-billion, five-year core infrastructure plan, this investment will create good jobs and give Manitoba communities the protection they need for growth and economic prosperity in the future.” – Premier Greg Selinger.

“We are proud to invest in the Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin outlet channels project. It will enable the province to monitor and adjust the water levels on Lake Manitoba while supporting Canada’s economic well-being. Our Government’s support for public infrastructure has never been stronger. As part of its New Building Canada Plan, the Government of Canada is investing in priority infrastructure projects that focus on creating jobs, promoting growth and long-term prosperity across Canada.” – Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development) and Member of Parliament for Portage-Lisgar.

Associated Links

To learn more about the New Building Canada Fund –National Infrastructure Component, visit: www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nic-vin-prog-eng.html.

For additional information on the New Building Canada Plan, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nbcp-npcc-eng.html.

Manitoba’s five-year, $5.5-billion infrastructure plan can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/pdf/five-yr-plan.pdf.

To learn more about the Government of Canada’s focus on jobs and the economy consult Canada’s Economic Action Plan at www.budget.gc.ca/2015/home-accueil-eng.html.

- 30 -