Iggy’s flood condolences hit wrong target

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/04/2011 (5497 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Liberal Party of Canada has corrected a press release that initially consoled Manitoba families who lost loved ones to the flood near Brandon, where no flood-related fatalities have been reported.

The party issued a statement this afternoon to express sympathy with Manitoba and Saskatchewan residents who are dealing with flooding.

“My deepest sympathies go out to the people of Manitoba who are dealing with the devastating effects of the Red River flooding, and especially to those families who have lost loved ones to the flood waters near Brandon,” leader Michael Ignatieff was quoted as saying in the original statement.

“We are also concerned for the people of Saskatchewan living along the Qu’Appelle Valley, as they brace for the expected overflow of the Qu’Appelle River. On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada, our thoughts and hopes are with the families affected by these floods at this difficult time.”

The statement was corrected two hours later to delete the reference to Brandon.

Two flood-related deaths have been reported in Manitoba this spring, both involving vehicles that wound up under water.

One occurred last week northwest of Otterburne, in the Red River Valley southeast of Winnipeg. The other took place on Sunday near Lac du Bonnet, northeast of Winnipeg.

Brandon is located approximately 200 kilometres west of Winnipeg.