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Governments fine-tune flood projects

By: Larry Kusch

Posted: 05/15/2010 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

THE federal government is ready to commit "a sizeable amount of money" to flood-proof communities north of Winnipeg but is still awaiting a list of projects from the provincial government, Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said Friday.

Toews wouldn't give a figure but said the money would come from the federal infrastructure fund. Both levels of government support flood-mitigation work for vulnerable areas immediately north of the city. Several communities were hit hard by flooding in 2009 due in part to ice jams along the river.

Toews said it's the province's role to identify flood-mitigation projects. Once that's done, both levels of government will work together to bring them to fruition. He also avoided criticizing the province, admitting he hadn't discussed the situation with his own officials for a few weeks.

"We're looking forward to seeing the full detailed (project) list from the province. I know the province is working on that issue," Toews said when questioned about the status of federal-provincial discussions while attending a funding announcement in Winnipeg by his colleague, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz.

"It's a priority for us and, quite frankly, the sooner we get that list (of projects) established the better," Toews said.

Manitoba Infrastructure Minister Steve Ashton said provincial officials have been working with their federal counterparts to identify projects that qualify for federal infrastructure funding. He said a detailed list could be completed within days -- although an announcement may not take place take until early summer.

"I'm hoping that we can get this wrapped up very soon," Ashton said. He said a total cost has yet to be determined.

"They (the feds) certainly know what we're proposing. The real issue is what's eligible under the infrastructure program," he said.

While the bulk of the work will involve community dikes and individual home protection along the Red River -- much like what was done south of the city after the 1997 Flood of the Century -- Ashton said an announcement would also include flood mitigation in other parts of the province.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 15, 2010 A8

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