FRANCAIS

March 10, 2004

The roles and responsibilities of a new provincial agency that would manage the expansion and maintenance of the Red River Floodway are proposed in the Floodway Authority Act, introduced today by Water Stewardship Minister Steve Ashton.

"Winnipeg’s location makes the risk of major flood damage a fact of life and the expansion of the floodway will provide greater flood protection for a majority of Manitobans," said Ashton. "Without the Red River Floodway, damage to the city during the 1997 Flood of the Century could have reached $6 billion. This legislation will help to ensure that Manitoba is better prepared for future flood events."

"This historic piece of legislation will establish a separate, independent and accountable authority to complete the expansion of the Red River Floodway on behalf of Manitoba residents," said Ernie Gilroy, CEO of the interim Manitoba Floodway Expansion Authority Inc. "By establishing a new authority to manage this project on a full-time basis, the Manitoba government is sending a signal that increased flood protection is top priority."

As the Manitoba government’s agent, the floodway authority would own the floodway’s physical assets and be responsible for its expansion and maintenance. Operational authority would remain with Manitoba Water Stewardship. "The floodway authority would oversee this monumental task and ensure the correct planning, design and construction procedures are followed," said Ashton.

After the 1997 flood, the International Joint Commission concluded that, "under flow conditions similar to that experienced in 1997, the risk of a failure of Winnipeg’s flood protection infrastructure is high."

Based on engineering studies and public consultations, the Manitoba government decided an expanded floodway would provide the necessary flood protection for the City of Winnipeg and residents of the Red River basin.

"There is much work to be done in the planning and preparation phase before the first scoop of earth is moved and this will be a very public process," said Ashton.

The expansion of the Red River Floodway is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Manitoba’s history. It is expected to protect residents from an 1826 level flood—the largest in the province’s history—and create thousands of jobs. In addition to managing the project, the floodway authority will also be responsible for:

• maximizing economic and recreational opportunities associated with the expansion;
• promoting environmental stewardship;
• developing labour training and research partnerships; and
• leading the public consultation process associated with project design and environmental licensing.

The floodway authority will be announcing its plans for the next phase of public information sessions in the upcoming days.

Expansion of the floodway is expected to cost about $658 million over a six-year period. To date, Canada and Manitoba have committed funding totalling $240 million. An agreement for the first phase of the project was signed with the federal government on Dec. 8, 2003. Further agreements are expected for the completion of the project.

The floodway project is considered a priority by government, so the interim Manitoba Floodway Expansion Authority Inc. was created in October 2003 to start the expansion process, including funding arrangements with the federal government. The interim authority would legally cease to exist and the floodway authority would take over its responsibilities. The floodway authority would be overseen by a government-appointed board of directors.

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