Governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada Fund Flood Mitigation Projects

  • Municipal Affairs and Environment

November 14, 2018

Today, the Honourable Graham Letto, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment, was joined by the Honourable Ralph Goodale, federal Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, to announce close to $2 million in funding for three flood risk mapping projects. The Federal Government will provide $980,000 under the National Disaster Mitigation Program with the Provincial Government providing the same amount in matching funds.

This funding will support three mapping projects:

  • Dam Break Flood Inundation Mapping of Municipal Water Supply Dams;
  • Humber River Communities Climate Change Flood Risk Mapping Study; and
  • Exploits River Communities Climate Change Flood Risk Mapping Study.

The funding will also be used to update the Badger Ice Progression Flood Warning Model. The maps will be crucial for informing emergency responses and plans and can be used for municipal planning, public information, developmental control, climate change adaptation, and the setting of structural design criteria.

This investment delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.

Quotes
“The safety of residents is our government’s foremost priority, and through this joint initiative with the Federal Government, we are taking steps to protect those in areas that could potentially be impacted by future floods and climate change. This initiative is another example of how we are working with the Federal Government to leverage the funds needed to advance vital projects, and safeguard the well-being of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
Honourable Dwight Ball
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“To ensure the safety and well-being of residents living near the Humber and Exploits rivers and near municipal water supply dams, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has committed significant funding to these three mapping projects. We are pleased to work in collaboration with our federal partners to mitigate the effects of flooding on citizens, businesses, and communities.”
Honourable Graham Letto
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment

“Floods are getting more severe, more frequent, and more damaging. This is a threat not only to the safety of our communities, but to our economic stability. The Government of Canada is determined to reduce these risks in partnership with provinces and territories. The projects announced today will provide the tools to help Newfoundland and Labrador better protect the safety of our citizens, prepare for, and respond to flooding.”
Honourable Ralph Goodale
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

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Learn more

The Way Forward

National Disaster Mitigation Program external link icon

FloodReady external link icon

Federal Flood Mapping Guidelines external link icon

Media contacts
Lynn Robinson
Municipal Affairs and Environment
709-729-5449
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca

Scott Bardsley
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Government of Canada
613-998-5681
scott.bardsley@canada.ca

2018 11 14 4:00 pm