Poilievre shows support for Swan River amid frustration over federal response to flood

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre phoned Swan River’s mayor Wednesday night to offer his support for flood victims in the western Manitoba town amid concerns about the speed of Ottawa’s response.

Mayor Lance Jacobson said Poilievre also recognized the “incredible efforts” of people who’ve helped by sandbagging, cleaning out flooded homes, preparing meals or in other ways.

“Mr. Poilievre assured me that he would take my concerns to Ottawa and advocate for the support our flooded residents will need in the weeks and months ahead,” Jacobson wrote in a Facebook post.

“I thanked him for taking the time to reach out and for keeping the people of our valley in his thoughts. I also emphasized that while Canada has always been willing to help other countries in times of need, we must also ensure that when disasters strike here at home, our federal government is ready to respond quickly and effectively.”

Jacobson has been frustrated by the pace of the federal government’s response, which includes a small team of Canadian Armed Forces members for tasks such as logistical assistance and resource co-ordination, and volunteers from veteran-led disaster aid organization Team Rubicon Canada.

“Canadians deserve timely assistance, boots on the ground where needed, and meaningful financial support that helps families not only get through the immediate crisis but also recover and rebuild over the long term,” Jacobson wrote. “The people of the Swan Valley are resilient, but they should not have to face this alone.”

Rebecca Chartrand, the MP for Churchill—Keewatinook Aski who is Manitoba’s only federal cabinet minister, toured the Parkland region Thursday to take in the flood damage and speak to local officials.

Late Thursday evening, she said she had productive meetings with officials on the ground and it was important “to see what people are experiencing” firsthand.

“You definitely can’t get that from reading a report or hearing that on the news, so my heart goes out to the people that are still struggling.”

Chartrand said recovery “is going to be a long road for some individuals,” but said the federal government will continue to support those in need.

“That’s why we were here today,” she said. “To make sure we’re present and supporting the people who are being impacted.”

When asked about the frustration expressed by some community leaders in Manitoba about the slow federal response, Chartrand said it’s important for people to understand the process to request help, saying they have to go through the province, before they are brought forward to the federal government.

“We’re happy to help provide those details to help leadership and communities access those supports,” she said.

Chartrand said while she doesn’t know if any further support was outlined to the affected communities on Thursday, the federal emergency management minister, Eleanor Olszewski, spoke with the Swan River mayor and said conversations between the federal government and communities “are happening and ongoing.”

“We always want to put people first,” she said.

A team of Team Rubicon volunteers, which will help to clear debris and clean basements, is expected to arrive in Swan River this weekend. They will join Samaritan’s Purse Canada and other organizations that have been helping flood victims in the Parkland region since early June.

Premier Wab Kinew formally requested federal aid July 1, a day after rivers surged again after heavy rains.

Federal Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski approved the request two days later. The following day, a CAF reconnaissance team, including engineering specialists, and a Team Rubicon liaison officer began assessing flood damage in the Parkland region.

Nine members of Team Rubicon arrived Wednesday to conduct further reconnaissance before the arrival of a larger team of volunteers, who will initially focus on flood recovery efforts in Swan River and the Municipality of Swan Valley West.

Manitoba’s Emergency Management Organization announced Thursday night it is offering more in-person support for people affected by flooding in the Swan River and Swan Valley West. That includes help submitting insurance claims and applications for financial assistance alongside information on recovery-program eligibility.

Many homeowners have cleared out their basements and stripped drywall and other components, municipal officials have said. Some communities were hit for a second time, after flooding in early June.

Department of National Defence spokesperson Kened Sadiku said the CAF team is evaluating what specific resources will be made available to municipalities.

The provincial and federal governments are providing disaster financial assistance.

The federal government is also sourcing “practical things,” such as water pumps and flood recovery kits, Olszewski said during a virtual briefing on Canada’s wildfire outlook.

“Although today’s update is focused on wildfires, the situation in Manitoba underscores what we all know already. Disasters are becoming more frequent and more severe and more costly,” she said.

Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett said flood preparedness work will continue into the weekend before the Assiniboine River is expected to peak in the western Manitoba city July 13.

Notices were handed out in neighbourhoods in a river valley to advise some 4,000 to 5,000 residents how to prepare if an evacuation is necessary.

A significant change in the flood forecast would have to happen for evacuations to possibly be considered, Fawcett said. There was no change in the forecast from Wednesday to Thursday, he noted.

Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, about 40 kilometres west of Brandon, is also bracing for the Assiniboine’s peak. The province closed a flooded section of Highway 21 on the east side of the community.

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The Town of Minnedosa said the Little Saskatchewan River peaked 0.3 metres (one foot) lower than anticipated.

Flooding has been widespread in western and southern areas, and the Interlake since the start of June. The province said 50 states of local emergency have been declared.

Winnipeg doesn’t expect any significant changes to the Assiniboine River in the coming days because of the province’s use of the Portage Diversion, city spokeswoman Lisa Marquardson said.

Meanwhile, Duck Mountain Provincial Park is scheduled to reopen for cottagers, seasonal campers, day visitors and commercial operators at 1 p.m. Friday.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca

Chris Kitching
Reporter

Chris Kitching is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He began his newspaper career in 2001, with stops in Winnipeg, Toronto and London, England, along the way. After returning to Winnipeg, he joined the Free Press in 2021, and now covers a little bit of everything for the newspaper. Read more about Chris.

Every piece of reporting Chris produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.