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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Flooding pact just about set, Toews says

By: Bruce Owen

Posted: 07/13/2010 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

A funding deal between the federal and provincial governments to protect residents on the Red River north of Winnipeg from spring flooding is close to being inked, senior Manitoba MP Vic Toews said Monday.

A deal between the two levels of government has been delayed for months as Ottawa and the province bickered over how much either side should pay and what flood protection measures should be built.

Toews said at an event in Winnipeg that the feud is over.

"I think we're very close," he said. "The areas under consideration are very close if not complete."

Toews also hinted that an announcement was imminent.

"I don't see any big hold-ups on the federal contribution."

Joseph Smolinski, chairman of the Coalition of the North Red River Flood Protection Group, said getting a deal done now is crucial.

"We don't want it to get to November or December to build dikes," he said. "If work starts now your material won't be all frozen in chunks and you know you'll be getting a proper dike."

Earlier this year local residents, fearing a repeat of the destructive flooding of 2009, said they were frustrated at the slow pace of getting dikes and other flood proofing projects built.

The RMs of St. Andrews and St. Clements were hit by ice jams and sudden flooding. The worst hit was Breezy Point. Earlier this year, 42 Breezy Point North cottages and homes were levelled after the province negotiated buyouts with all Crown land leaseholders.

The province has said it wants Ottawa to fund the new flood-mitigation projects on a 50/50 basis, similar to funding arrangements made after the 1997 flood to protect homes and towns south of the city. Ottawa has replied it had no money for disaster mitigation.

A provincial spokesman also said Monday a funding deal was close, but released no further information.

Toews also said Monday he is still looking at fine-tuning Ottawa's Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangement program to see how it can be used to co-fund flood-mitigation infrastructure north of Winnipeg.

Meanwhile, the province is continuing with its review of the Red River Floodway's rules of operation. Under its environmental licence its operation has to be reviewed once every five years.

Manitoba Water Stewardship is now soliciting public input. Written comments can be submitted online, by mail or by email before Sept. 1. Go to www.gov.mb.ca/waterstewardship/floodway_rules_of_operation/index.html for more information.

bruce.owen@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 13, 2010 A7

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