Government of Canada delivers $2.2 million in disaster financial assistance
to Newfoundland and Labrador

R. John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources Canada and minister responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador, on behalf of Anne McLellan, deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, today announced two advance payments totalling $2.2 million to help Newfoundland and Labrador recover from damage caused by flooding in 2003. Minister Efford was joined by Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. These payments include $1 million for the 2003 Badger flood and $1.2 million for the 2003 West Coast flood which are available through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA).

"These payments are the first contributions by the Government of Canada to the province of Newfoundland and Labrador to ease the financial burden of the recovery costs associated with these two floods," said Minister Efford. "The residents of Newfoundland and Labrador can be assured that our governments will continue to work together to help them rebuild their communities, businesses and municipalities."

"Despite the generous efforts and contributions of many, these communities are still in the process of rebuilding and financial assistance is essential to ongoing redevelopment," said Premier Williams. "These additional funds will see that outstanding issues are addressed and we are very pleased to see a further contribution from the federal government in addition to the federal and provincial investments already made to date."

In 2003, ice jams caused the Exploits, Badger and Red Indian Rivers to flood the town of Badger encasing it in ice for months. Badger residents were forced out of their community for some time only to return to survey the extensive damage caused to their properties after the thaw. Heavy flooding on the west coast of the mainland in 2003 caused damage to infrastructure in communities such as Corner Brook and Stephenville.

This $2.2 million can be considered the first DFAA instalment payments given to Newfoundland and Labrador against the final provincial claims. As recovery continues and costs to the province are documented, further claims to the Government of Canada are expected. Claims will be handled under the DFAA Guidelines which are administered by Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada. Since the inception of the DFAA in 1970, the Government of Canada has provided more than $1.5 billion in disaster assistance funding to provinces and territories, of which more than $18 million has been distributed to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements, the Government of Canada contributes to the coverage of costs of a disaster or an emergency after a provincial or territorial government has requested federal financial assistance, in accordance with DFAA guidelines. All claims must be audited by Consulting and Audit Canada.

Background information on the DFAA can be found at //www.psepc.gc.ca and for more information contact:

Alexandra Muir
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister, Natural Resources Canada
(613) 947-8246

Elizabeth Matthews
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier, Newfoundland and Labrador
(709) 729-3570

Alexander Swann
Press Secretary
Minister McLellan�s Office
(613) 991-2863

Shawn Dearn
Media Relations
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
(613) 991-0657

Len LeRiche
Regional Director, Newfoundland & Labrador
Critical Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Preparedness
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
(709) 772-5522

Tom Ormsby
Minister�s Regional Office, St. John�s,
Newfoundland and Labrador
Natural Resources Canada
(709) 772-7261

2004 05 17                                         3:25 p.m.