Harper Government Takes Action to Reduce Impact of Overland Flooding in New Brunswick's Indian Island First Nation

Multi-faceted initiative includes surface water and storm surge management plan, housing and infrastructure review, and future community development plan

OTTAWA, May 5, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, today announced that Canada has provided support to help reduce the impact of overland flooding in Indian Island First Nation, located in Kent County, New Brunswick, on the Northumberland Strait.

The Government of Canada provided $110,000 to the First Nation as part of an initiative that includes:

• a management plan setting out short and long-term strategies to reduce surface flooding and flooding associated with storm surges;
• a review of the First Nation's housing and infrastructure to address the immediate and long-term effects of overland flooding;
• a community plan to regulate the building of future housing and infrastructure in order to reduce the impact of flooding; and,
• an engineering study to improve Indian Island First Nation's flood control sea wall.

This investment is funded from the $19.1 million in annual funding Minister Valcourt announced in November 2013 as part of a new approach to strengthen emergency management on reserves. The funds aim to assist First Nation communities with emergency preparedness projects to address potential natural disasters such as spring flooding.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada supported 34 emergency management preparedness projects for First Nations across the country during the 2014-2015 fiscal year.
• Discussions are currently underway between Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and provincial and territorial governments across Canada to have formal agreements that provide First Nation communities with improved access to comparable emergency assistance available elsewhere in their province or territory.
• Canada currently has an Emergency Management agreement in place with the Province of Alberta.

Quotes

"Our Government is working to keep Canadians safe; that's why we took action to help Indian Island First Nation deal with overland flooding. This investment will not only help to address the damages left by the previous flooding, it will also help the First Nation develop a clear plan to deal with future flooding."
Bernard Valcourt
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

"This information will be very valuable to Indian Island First Nation in trying to avoid flooding events in the future. We hope to continue our partnership with AANDC into the next phase of the project."
Chief Kenneth Barlow
Indian Island First Nation

Associated Links

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada - Emergency Management 

Agreement between Canada and Alberta Doubles the Number of Field Service Officers Working with First Nations 

Backgrounder - How AANDC Supports First Nation Communities During Emergencies:

Harper Government Announces New Measures to Strengthen Emergency Management on Reserve

Indian Island First Nation – Community Profile

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SOURCE Government of Canada

Emily Hillstrom, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, 819-997-0002, Media Relations; Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, 819-953-1160