FRANCAIS

April 30, 2003

Ernie Gilroy has been appointed to head up work on the Red River Floodway expansion project, Conservation Minister Steve Ashton announced today.

Gilroy, who is retiring shortly from his position as manager of the City of Winnipeg’s Executive Policy Committee Secretariat, has agreed to a one-year contract with the Floodway Expansion Interim Management Authority, established to oversee the entire floodway expansion project.

"I am very pleased that Ernie Gilroy has accepted this position," Ashton said. "Ernie has a wealth of knowledge and professional experience in both public service and private enterprise. The depth of his experience will be invaluable as we move forward with this vital infrastructure project."

Gilroy’s tasks include developing recommendations for the structure of the Interim Management Authority, finalizing negotiations on project financing, and liaising with other levels of government, local communities and the private sector. The new Interim Management Authority will report directly to a special committee of cabinet, chaired by the premier.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and Premier Gary Doer announced that each government would contribute $80 million towards the first phase of the floodway expansion. This $160 million investment is the largest federal-provincial infrastructure partnership in Manitoba since the construction of the original floodway.

The cost of completing the full expansion project is estimated at $660 million. When fully completed, it will offer protection from a flood with a one in 700 years probability of occurrence. Work on the entire expanded floodway project is expected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in economic benefits and thousands of jobs.

Gilroy is the current chair of the General Insurance Council of Manitoba and has held a variety of positions within the insurance industry.

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