Municipal Affairs
November 6, 2007Province Concerned with Federal Process Concerning
Disaster Assistance
Fire and Emergency Services � Newfoundland and Labrador (FES-NL)
continues to face challenges associated with concluding Federal
Government claims under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements
Program (DFAA), most of which relate to difficulties associated with
requirements under federal accounting and audit processes.
The Honourable Dave Denine, Minister of Municipal Affairs, and
Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services - Newfoundland and
Labrador (FES-NL), has expressed concern about the difficult and onerous
process to gain federal financial support through the DFAA program. "We
have experienced a great deal of frustration over the process of
completing DFAA claims. The federal process is extremely challenging
and, in many instances, we have been unable to achieve clarity from
federal officials as to the exact information that is required. On many
occasions, documentation has been submitted, and additional requests
from federal officials have been made to the province for further
detailed information. This has slowed down the process considerably,
resulting in the province not receiving the financial assistance
relating to a specific event from the Federal Government."
The Provincial Government remains committed to submitting all
required documentation in order to conclude and secure payments for all
outstanding DFAA claims, and to working with federal officials in Public
Safety Canada to improve this process. The Government of Newfoundland
and Labrador estimates provincial disaster financial assistance
expenditures since 2000 will approach $90 million in total. In relation
to events since 2000, the province has received $7.1 million in interim
payments from the Federal Government through the DFAA program, including
$2.3 million for Storm Surge 2000, $2.6 million for Tropical Storm
Gabrielle 2001, $1.0 million for Badger Flood 2003, and $1.2 million for
West Coast Flood 2003.
"Federal representatives have made misleading statements to the media
in stating that they have made advancements of $21 million in recent
years. In fact, these payments date back to events between 1973 and the
present," said Minister Denine. "We are also concerned about statements
made by federal officials that advance federal payments can be provided
to the province when, in reality, the federal program does not provide
for any payments, advance or otherwise, until work has been completed
and documentation is submitted which, in some cases, can take years."
"Our officials have made great process in gathering and providing the
appropriate documentation to federal officials for events which have
occurred in the province and are eligible for funding under DFAA
program. From a provincial standpoint, we recognize that issues exist
with the claims process and have made efforts to help address them. This
has included the establishment of Fire and Emergency Services �
Newfoundland and Labrador to more effectively deal with provincial
disaster initiatives, and the hiring of appropriate personnel to help
address outstanding DFAA claims," said Minister Denine.
"Our primary focus once a disaster occurs is to ensure public safety
and that the needs of those affected are responded to. This includes
assisting individuals, families and communities who have been impacted
and securing provincial and municipal infrastructure," said the
minister. "The nature of disaster response requires immediate action,
with the province paying for all related expenses upfront, prior to
working through the DFAA claims process to secure federal financial
support for disaster events."
The chart below provides an update on status of provincial DFAA
claims:
Event/Date |
Cost of Event (estimated) |
Status of Claim |
Storm Surge (2000) |
$4.4
million |
Final Federal Audit Requested
Nov. 1/07. |
Tropical Storm Gabrielle (2001) |
$6.2
million |
Claim to be finalized 2007-08. |
Badger Flood (2003) |
$8.2
million |
Claim to be finalized 2008-09. |
West
Coast Flood (2003) |
$9.2
million |
Claim to be finalized 2008-09. |
Stephenville Flood (2005) |
$26.8 million |
Interim claim requested Oct.
17/07. Claim to be finalized 2009-10. |
Northeast Coast Flood (2006) |
$4.9
million |
Final Federal Audit Requested
Nov. 1/07. Expect to be completed 2008-09. |
Documentation on these events
has been submitted to federal officials under DFAA guidelines
and are currently under review. |
Event/Date |
Cost of Event (estimated) |
Status of Claim |
Burin Flood (2005) |
$.971 million |
Claim to be finalized 2008-09. |
Daniels Harbour Landslide (2007) |
$6.5
million |
Claim to be finalized 2009-10. |
Tropical Storm Chantal (2007) |
$22.7 million |
Claim to be finalized 2010-11. |
Interim claims on these events have not been submitted to
federal officials under DFAA guidelines. |
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Media contact:
Heather MacLean
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal Affairs
709-729-1983, 690-2498
heathemaclean@gov.nl.ca
2007 11 06 4:00 p.m.