Government of Canada provides disaster recovery funding to New Brunswick for spring floods

FREDERICTON, Aug. 1, 2018 /CNW/ - Floods are the most costly natural disasters in Canada in terms of property damage. In April 2018, historic levels of flooding in New Brunswick caused widespread infrastructure damage, road closures and significant destruction to private property. Today, Members of Parliament Matt DeCourcey and Alaina Lockhart, on behalf of the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced $39 million in disaster recovery funding to New Brunswick to help respond to the losses caused by the floods.

This advance payment is provided through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) to assist in recovery costs from the devastating 2018 floods. This payment will help with the response and recovery costs, including eligible rebuilding costs in affected communities.

In the event of a large-scale disaster, Public Safety Canada provides cost-shared financial assistance through the DFAA to provinces and territories for eligible disaster recovery expenses over and above what they could reasonably be expected to bear on their own. Provinces and territories provide financial support to impacted communities based on the criteria of their own provincial disaster assistance program's recovery plans and policies.

Quotes

"As a result of the historic flooding experienced in New Brunswick this spring, the Government of Canada has responded quickly to provide financial assistance to the province through the DFAA. This financial assistance will help New Brunswick recover from the floods that ravaged its communities. The Government of Canada is committed to reducing the impacts of natural disasters on Canadians, keeping them safe when disaster strikes and helping communities rebuild over the long-term."
– Matt DeCourcey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for Fredericton, New Brunswick

"The flooding we experienced this spring was a devastating and costly emergency for our communities. I know it brought comfort to many knowing that the Government of Canada is committed to helping keep everyone safe when disaster strikes and helping them rebuild over the long-term. I welcome this financial assistance to the province to help in the recovery and rebuilding of our communities."
– Alaina Lockhart, Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and Tourism and Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal, New Brunswick

"Thousands of New Brunswickers have been impacted by the historic levels of the 2018 spring freshet and many are still recovering from the damage caused by the severe flooding. The Government of New Brunswick is pleased to be able to count on all of its partners in such a challenging time, particularly the federal government, which is supporting our province's Disaster Financial Assistance program through the DFAA. The funding assistance from the Government of Canada will help us to provide the best possible support for New Brunswickers during a time of great hardship."
– The Honourable Stephen Horsman, Deputy Premier of New Brunswick

Quick Facts

• Historic flooding this past spring impacted several regions across New Brunswick, including Fredericton, Saint John and surrounding communities. About 12,000 properties across the province were affected by the flooding to various degrees.
• Public Safety Canada's Government Operations Centre coordinated the response to the spring floods in New Brunswick in collaboration with several federal and provincial departments and organizations, including the Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP, Transport Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada/Canadian Coast Guard, Natural Resources Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, New Brunswick's Department of Environment and Local Government, and New Brunswick's Department of Justice and Public Safety.
• Canadians are encouraged to visit the Flood Ready website for tips and resources to help prepare and prevent flooding in their communities.

Associated Links

• Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA)
• Flooding in Canada
• Flood Ready
• Get Prepared – Floods

SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

Scott Bardsley, Senior Advisor for Communications, Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, 613-998-5681, [email protected]; Media Relations, Public Safety Canada, 613-991-0657, [email protected]