New infrastructure project will protect residents and their properties against floods in Calgary

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Nov. 10, 2016) - All Canadians deserve to live in communities that are safe and protected from environmental hazards and events. In response to the June 2013 flooding in southern Alberta caused by a heavy rainfall, and to reduce the risk of flooding in the future, the governments of Canada and Alberta are contributing funding towards a new flood mitigation project.

Darshan Singh Kang, Member of Parliament for Calgary Skyview, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Ward 7 Councillor Druh Farrell, The City of Calgary, gathered in Calgary to make the announcement.

The project includes the construction of a pump station in Sunnyside - a low-lying area prone to flooding - that will direct excess surface water safely into the Bow River. It also includes the construction of a flood protection berm east of the Bonnybrook wastewater treatment plant along with associated groundwater and storm water enhancements to further protect the plant from flooding. It is the largest of Calgary's three wastewater treatment plants and was impacted due to flooding during the June 2013 severe rainfalls.

The Government of Canada will contribute up to $10,469,139 to this project. The Government of Alberta will contribute up to $11,455,600 to the flood protection berm east of the Bonnybrook wastewater treatment plant. The City of Calgary will cover the remaining costs for both elements of the project, which have a total estimated cost of $32,856,876.

Once completed, these measures will help protect thousands of people and their homes, schools and local businesses, and ensure that Calgary remains a safe and thriving community for decades to come.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is committed to building safer and more resilient communities, which is critical for attracting economic opportunities for the middle class and those working hard to join it. By making strategic investments in effective disaster mitigation infrastructure like this project in Calgary, we will better protect families and communities from extreme natural events."

Darshan Singh Kang, Member of Parliament for Calgary Skyview, On behalf of The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Community-level flood mitigation projects are so important because they keep flood waters away from vulnerable neighborhoods and help ensure an emergency situation is not made worse by losing access to critical infrastructure. With new federal funding to build upon the nearly $28 million in provincial funding we've invested in community-level flood mitigation in Calgary over the past two years, Alberta's largest city will be better able to adapt to a changing climate."

The Honorable Shannon Phillips, Minister of Environment and Parks, Minister Responsible for the Climate Change Office

"The City is committed to making Calgary a safe, flood resilient community. The 2013 flood caused significant social and economic disruption and unprecedented damages. The road from recovery to resiliency is a complex, long term process over many years with short, medium and long term milestones. We greatly appreciate the support of the Governments of Canada and Alberta in this journey, and helping take us one step closer to flood resilience."

Druh Farrell, Councillor, Ward 7, the City of Calgary

Associated links

Government of Canada's $180-billion+ infrastructure plan: http://www.budget.gc.ca/fes-eea/2016/docs/themes/infrastructure-en.html

Federal infrastructure investments in Alberta: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/ab-eng.html

Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component - National and Regional Projects (PTIC-NRP): http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nrp-pnr-prog-eng.html

Alberta Community Resilience Program: http://aep.alberta.ca/water/programs-and-services/alberta-community-resilience-program/default.aspx

The City of Calgary flood mitigation and recovery projects: http://www.calgary.ca/UEP/Water/Pages/Flood-Info/Recovery/Flood-projects.aspx

Twitter: @INFC_eng

Web: Infrastructure Canada