[Excerpts from Aug. 18th Joint Goverments News Release]
Manitoba Premier, Gary Doer, together with Allan Rock, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Infrastructure, and Rey Pagtakhan, Minister of Veterans Affairs, today announced at the Forks, that the Governments of Canada and Manitoba will each contribute $40 million towards Manitoba flood protection. Today’s $80 million announcement builds on the $160 million joint investment announced by the Right Honorable Jean Chrétien, Prime Minister of Canada, and Premier Doer on April 3, 2003. This represents the first investment made under the "national priority project" component of the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund.

The $2-billion Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF), announced by Minister Rock on July 22, 2003, provides $200 million for national priority projects – projects of such importance that it is appropriate for the Government of Canada to be a funding partner. As funding for flood protection will be made available under the "national priority project" component of the CSIF, Manitoba remains eligible for its full share of funding under the overall Fund.

The flood of 1997 was considered to be a 1 in 90 year flood event and came close to over-topping the current flood control structure for the City of Winnipeg. In April 2003, the federal and provincial governments committed $160 million to the Floodway expansion project, representing an increase in flood protection for the City of Winnipeg up to a 1 in 200 year flood event. The additional funding announced today takes the project to a 1 in 280 year level of flood protection during the construction phase, and its puts it well on the way to the final goal of protection against a 1 in 700 year flood when the project is completed. In particular, the funding will allow for the completion of the West Dike, bridge replacement, and significantly greater channel excavation.

Full Release

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