The Manitoba government has approved 89 projects that mitigate against future disasters under the 2022 Mitigation and Preparedness Program (MPP), Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Doyle Piwniuk announced today.
“Our government is committed to supporting not only the post-disaster recovery needs of municipalities, but also their capacity to prepare for future events,” said Piwniuk. “This innovative initiative, delivered through the Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization, offers an important opportunity for municipalities to build local resiliency against natural disasters, extreme weather events and the impacts of climate change.”
First introduced in 2020, the MPP opens when a disaster financial assistance (DFA) program is established for a natural disaster and the cost of the DFA program is sufficient to be eligible for federal cost-sharing arrangements.
The majority of municipalities with a claim under the 2022 Spring Flood DFA program also applied for MPP project funding, which enables municipalities to invest municipal DFA deductibles into an approved mitigation or preparedness project. Up to a maximum of $2.6 million in municipal DFA deductibles will now be used by municipalities to undertake these 89 local projects.
The MPP provides municipalities with flexibility to use deductibles for a project of their choice that builds local resiliency to natural disasters including the purchase of equipment or use of funds for a capital project. Municipalities also have the option to place funds in reserve until a project is selected.
“We commend the Manitoba government for investing in 89 municipal projects under the 2022 MPP. We also commend municipalities for participating in this important program and investing in projects to help our communities become more resilient,” said Kam Blight, president, Association of Manitoba Municipalities. “As municipalities cannot fight extreme weather events alone, this funding support will not only help build local resiliency but also help municipalities better prepare and invest in disaster mitigation infrastructure to avoid costly damages in the future.”
The Manitoba government is proud to support innovative projects such as flood risk mapping along the La Salle River, water retention partnerships with watershed districts, dike enhancements in areas along Lake Winnipeg, relocating public and private infrastructure susceptible to repeat flooding, and equipment for training volunteers to be prepared during an event, the minister noted. Other common projects include raising roads, enhancing culvert design, and purchasing generators, water pumps, and culvert steamers.
For more information about the MPP, visit: https://gov.mb.ca/emo/mitigation/mpp.html
