The province has decided to increase its funding to enhance spring flood preparations and protection.
Municipal Relations Minister Rochelle Squires and Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler announced today that nearly $8 million will support more than 80 municipalities in the province.

"Manitobans always rally together in challenging times and while we are facing unprecedented global circumstances, our government is helping municipalities take important steps to enhance flood protection," says Squires. "Municipalities know best what will work for them, and this program is designed to help ensure protection put in place this year will benefit communities for many years to come."

Under the 2020 Flood Protection Program, the province offered one-time funding support to municipalities in enhancing municipal capacity for flood preparedness, equipment costs and build resiliency for future floods. Initially, the one-time program was capped at $3 million, but in light of the need for preparation this spring, the funding will more than double for projects in areas all across Manitoba.

This funding will bring added resources for projects and equipment for the crews who will be working on flood protection in areas all across Manitoba while boosting economic activity during extraordinary global challenges.

Proposals were reviewed by a panel made up of representatives from the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM), Winnipeg Metropolitan Region and the Manitoba government. Evaluation of proposals considered factors including flood risk, the ability of the proposal to enhance emergency preparedness or resiliency for future flood events, as well as potential regional benefits.

Here is the breakdown for funding in the Central District based on the applications that were submitted: 

  • RM of Dufferin - $148,942.00
    - Generators and transfer switches, trash pump (capable of pumping debris-filled water without clogging), high capacity pump, traffic barricades and chainsaw –proposal includes shared equipment with Town of Carman
  • RM of Grey - $20,659.72
    - Generators, hoses, traffic barricades, tools, lights and Emergency Operations Centre equipment
  • RM of Louise - $34,089.00
    - Culvert steaming equipment, generators and Emergency Operations Centre equipment $34,089.00
  • RM of Morris - $130,306.98
    - Culvert steaming equipment, generators, trash pump (capable of pumping debris-filled water without clogging), trailer, signage, road closure gates and water rescue equipment
  • RM of Rhineland - $133,000.00
    - Culvert steaming equipment with trailer, trailer-mounted pump and generator
  • RM of Roland - $32,100.00
    - Culvert steaming equipment, trash pumps (capable of pumping debris-filled water without clogging) and hoses, generators and Emergency Operations Centre equipment
  • RM of Stanley - $64,000.00
    - Culvert steaming equipment, truck retrofits, pumps and water-filled flood-barriers
  • RM of Thompson - $45,980.00
    - Generators and cords, pumps and hoses, lights, culvert steaming equipment, trailer, tools, traffic barricades, signage and Emergency Operations Centre equipment
  • Town of Altona - $100,000.00
    - Pump with silencing enclosure, hoses and fittings
  • Town of Carman - $150,000.00
    - Generators, trash pump (capable of pumping debris-filled water without clogging) and sandbags - proposal includes shared equipment with RM of Dufferin
  • City of Morden - $132,011.38
    - Pumps and accessories, trailer, culvert steaming equipment, generators, sandbag filler and sandbags

"The Association of Manitoba Municipalities commends the provincial government for more than doubling its initial commitment to support the Spring Flood Preparedness program," says Ralph Groening, president of the AMM. "As municipalities cannot fight floods alone, these additional dollars further help underscore the importance of the provincial-municipal partnership."

The funding covers a range of items including generators, pumps, steaming equipment to unclog frozen culverts, utility trailers, equipment for emergency operations centres, sandbags and other small equipment that will assist municipalities in protecting vital infrastructure and reducing flood damage. These items reflect what municipalities have identified as their priority needs in order to prepare for future flood events.

Also announced today was a new opportunity for municipalities to set aside funding for disaster mitigation programs in their communities while modernizing the Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) cost-sharing formula.

"We have developed an optional program for municipalities to apply to set aside funds dedicated to disaster mitigation and increase the resilience of Manitobans against future disasters," says Squires. "If approved, municipalities would be able to redirect funds destined for payments under the provincial/municipal DFA cost-sharing formula to disaster mitigation and preparedness measures."

"The existing DFA system is a decade old and needs to be revised," says Schuler. "As the scale and scope of disasters increases, governments need to shift their focus to mitigation in order to limit the impact of future disasters, rather than relying on response and recovery."

If approved, municipalities would be able to redirect funds destined for payments under the provincial/municipal DFA cost-sharing formula to disaster mitigation and preparedness measures. This would apply when a DFA program qualifies for federal cost sharing under Canada’s Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA). In this case, the province would reimburse municipalities for
100 percent of eligible DFA costs.

Proposed changes to the Disaster Financial Assistance program will result in municipalities covering the first $3.25 per capita, up from $1 per capita, before the DFA formula applies.

Click here for the full list of the 2020 Flood Protection Program projects.