13°c Overcast
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Ottawa hands Manitoba $50 million for flood costs
OTTAWA -- The federal government cut a cheque to Manitoba for $50 million on Monday as an advance toward repairing damage caused by this year's devastating floods.
But it seems likely it's only a drop in the bucket of what both levels of government will now end up spending for flood-related bills.
A spokesman for Premier Greg Selinger said the province estimates the price tag on the floods will top $1 billion.
That is up from a month ago, when Selinger estimated the cost was somewhere around $700 million.
Matt Williamson said it's not entirely clear yet how much of the cost will be eligible for Disaster Flood Assistance, and therefore some federal reimbursement, but the province expects much of it will be.
The DFA program is an agreement between Ottawa, the provinces and territories that sees the wealthier federal government shoulder much of the burden for disasters. The program helps cover evacuation costs, infrastructure repairs and payments to individuals, businesses and farm operators for the loss or damage of essential property.
The program's payments are based on population, with provinces and territories responsible for 100 per cent of the costs up to $1 per capita. Manitoba's population is about 1.25 million, so the province is responsible for approximately the first $1.25 million in flood costs.
After that DFA kicks in, with Ottawa funding 50 per cent of the next $2.5 million, 75 per cent of costs between $4 million and $6.5 million, and 90 per cent of all costs over about $6.5 million.
Public Safety Minister Vic Toews, who announced the advance payment Monday, said in a news release the funds are evidence of the government's commitment to helping people and communities recover after major disasters.
The 2011 floods are expected to be among the most widespread and costly the province has ever seen, likely topping the impact of the 1997 Flood of the Century. That flood resulted in $245 million in DFA-eligible costs, of which Ottawa covered 78 per cent or just under $194 million.
That did not include the $1 billion in cost-shared flood-mitigation programs since 1997, including the $650-million expansion of the Red River Floodway, or $140 million in spending to build and expand ring dikes for communities in the Red River Valley.
Ottawa has already spent more than $63 million this year on flood costs related to First Nations, including the ongoing evacuation of eight reserves. More than 2,100 people are still being housed in hotels because their communities are either uninhabitable or still under water.
Already, more than $23 million has been paid out just for First Nations evacuation costs.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 22, 2011 A3
More Local
- Back to Top
- Return to Local
Poll
Most Popular Local
- Woman drove into river on purpose
- City's first urban reserve born
- Doctor charged with sexually assaulting teen at HSC
- Police searching for suspect who woke sleeping teen
- Evidence ignored in dangerous driving acquital, appeal court told
- Crash victims were good friends, free spirits
- City set to seize derelict hotel
- Accused fraudster fights extradition to U.S.
- Teachers vote to donate $1.5M to human rights museum
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Man charged, victims identified in double homicide
- Crash claims two young women, RCMP say
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Police identify slaying victims
- Apple trick on Ellen falls short for city woman
- City's first urban reserve born
- Woman drove into river on purpose
- The end of the credit card?
- Hundreds pitch in to dig out houses damaged, destroyed by Ochre Beach ice floe
- A child-custody catastrophe
- Charleswood deaths being investigated as domestic incident
- Man charged, victims identified in double homicide
- Co-worker 'sick' today? Maybe it's the $17M flu
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- '2 minutes after I read the winning numbers, I retired': Winnipeg lotto winner
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Parents, community relieved and elated as missing boy found safe
- No threat from bag found at Winnipeg Square
- City's first urban reserve born
- Better PTSD treatment for RCMP urged
- Armed forces buys buses from Motor Coach
- City chiropractor guilty of beating, sexually assaulting ex-girlfriend
- Accused fraudster fights extradition to U.S.
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- SCU pulls Bill 18 petition
- Man charged, victims identified in double homicide
- Katz plays on with golf-course plan
- Athletes could sit under new school rules
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Fishing for fashion
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- City's first urban reserve born
- Core grocer a challenge: expert
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- City chiropractor guilty of beating, sexually assaulting ex-girlfriend
- First Nation celebrates groundbreaking on city's first urban reserve
- North End proud
- Hundreds pitch in to dig out houses damaged, destroyed by Ochre Beach ice floe
- Mental-health patients get own ER
- A child-custody catastrophe
- An uncommon phenomenon
- Steen invests $1M in family entertainment centre
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Earls on Main going, but new one coming
- Province introduces changes to rules governing landlords, renters
- Crushing blow for amateur sport
- Boost same-sex curricula: union
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.