Arborg Flood Protection Project Gets Federal and Provincial Funding

ARBORG, MANITOBA--(Marketwired - July 6, 2015) - Officials from three levels of government were on hand today in Arborg to announce funding for a new community flood protection project. Residents of this town, in the Municipality of Bifrost-Riverton, will soon have added protection from the devastating effects of recurrent flooding thanks to this flood mitigation initiative.

Arborg has experienced recurring flooding along its east side when runoff converges at the northeast area of town and flows down Provincial Road 326, which runs through the town, to the Icelandic River.

The Community Dikes Initiative provides joint federal and provincial funding for new flood mitigation infrastructure in flood prone communities. This particular project will include the diversion of flood waters east of town and then into the Icelandic River further downstream, which will help protect 58 homes and a high school from flood damage. Construction is expected to begin this fall or in spring of 2016.

Quick Facts

• For the Arborg flood protection project, the governments of Canada and Manitoba will jointly provide $2,070,000 in funding through the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund, under the Community Dikes Initiative.
• The municipal contribution will amount to $230,000 for a total project cost of $2,300,000.
• Manitoba's support for this project is drawn from its $5.5-billion, five-year plan to invest in core infrastructure including roads, bridges, clean water projects and flood protection. Independent analysis conducted by the Conference Board of Canada projects Manitoba's plan will create 58,900 jobs, boost the province's economy by $6.3 billion and increase exports by $5.4 billion.

Quotes

"Our Government is pleased to support this flood protection project, which will help reduce the damage caused by recurring flooding in the area. Once completed, the community dike will help protect 58 homes and a local school, as well as prevent the disruptions that are often associated with natural disasters. By investing in high-priority initiatives like this one, we are delivering on our commitment to provide greater safety for residents, and protecting the economy of this community and others across Manitoba."

James Bezan, Member of Parliament for Selkirk-Interlake, On behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

"The Province of Manitoba is committed to projects that focus on protecting communities from future flooding. Not only are these initiatives making our communities safer, but they are also providing jobs and economic stability to the area as well."

Thomas Nevakshonoff, Minister of Conservation and Water Stewardship and MLA of Interlake. On behalf of the Honourable Drew Caldwell, Minister of Municipal Government.

"The flooding in the area has been a long time problem and the municipality is pleased that it is now being resolved with help from the federal and provincial governments."

Harold Foster, Reeve, Municipality of Bifrost-Riverton

Associated Links

For additional information on the New Building Canada Plan, visit: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/plan-eng.html.

To learn more about the Government of Canada's focus on jobs and the economy consult Canada's Economic Action Plan at http://www.budget.gc.ca/2015/home-accueil-eng.html.

Follow the link to find out about the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund.

Manitoba's five-year, $5.5 billion infrastructure plan can be found at http://www.gov.mb.ca/mit/pdf/five-yr-plan.pdf .

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