FRANCAIS

April 27, 2006

Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade Minister Scott Smith, minister responsible for emergency measures, has announced that disaster financial assistance (DFA) will be made available to municipalities and those affected by flooding along the Red River and its tributaries and in other areas of the province affected by flooding.

Although the full impacts of this flooding will not be known until the water recedes, the Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) estimates the cost of damages will warrant a DFA program. The preliminary estimate of costs is currently $10 million to $12 million.

"The Red River valley and other areas of the province such as Red Deer Lake have been impacted by spring flooding and many are facing significant costs to repair roads and other infrastructure damaged by the high water," said Smith. "We will work with the communities to assess flooding impacts and to provide financial assistance."

DFA is generally available for costs incurred to prevent or limit flood damage, evacuation costs and costs to restore essential infrastructure to a functional and habitable state.

Manitoba has requested the Government of Canada to share the costs of this DFA program in accordance with the federal Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements.

Information about the DFA program is currently available on the EMO website at http://www.manitobaemo.ca. EMO is in the process of setting up the administrative requirements for this program and will begin answering inquiries and accepting DFA applications as of May 1.

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