Outlet channel for Lake Manitoba top PC priority: Pallister

Posted: 5:04 PM CDT Wednesday, Mar. 23, 2016

Brian Pallister says construction of an outlet channel for Lake Manitoba to reduce flooding would be a top infrastructure priority for a new Progressive Conservative government.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

Brian Pallister says construction of an outlet channel for Lake Manitoba to reduce flooding would be a top infrastructure priority for a new Progressive Conservative government.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/03/2016 (3490 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brian Pallister says construction of an outlet channel for Lake Manitoba to reduce flooding would be a top infrastructure priority for a new Progressive Conservative government.

Pallister renewed his pledge to prevent lake flooding in St. Laurent Wednesday while on a tour of the Interlake.

“This is a top priority for our party,” Pallister said by telephone afterwards.

Winnipeg Free Press files
This photo was taken by Earl Zotter, the Reeve of the R.M. of St. Laurent during a helicopter tour in 2011. — Winnipeg Free Press files This photo was taken by Earl Zotter, the Reeve of the R.M. of St. Laurent during a helicopter tour in 2011.

He accused the NDP government of needlessly holding up flood control initiatives that have prevented many in flood-affected communities from rebuilding.

While Winnipeggers and others living downstream of the Portage Diversion have benefited from Assiniboine River waters being diverted to Lake Manitoba and on to Lake St. Martin, those living along the two lakes have suffered, the Progressive Conservative leader said.

“They’ve been in power for 17 years and they haven’t moved a shovelful of dirt,” he said of the governing party.

Pallister promised that a new Tory government would complete construction of a new drainage channel for Lake Manitoba and an expanded Lake St. Martin outlet within three to five years of being elected.

If the lake outlets are constructed promptly and properly, there is the potential to save government hundreds of millions of dollars in future flood claims, he said.

“It’s long overdue that we give the protection and the future back to these folks who have sacrificed so much for the rest of us, frankly,” Pallister said.