Federal and Manitoba governments promise channels to ease flooding near reserve

A previous flood in Manitoba (Photo from Twitter/Robyn Verindon) 

WINNIPEG – The federal and Manitoba governments are promising $495 million for two channels to ease flooding near communities such as Lake St. Martin, a reserve that has been flooded out for four years.

The money is to pay for two outlet channels that will help reduce water levels on Lake St. Martin and Lake Manitoba.

The province constructed a temporary emergency channel after a flood in 2011 forced thousands – primarily from the Lake St. Martin First Nation – from their homes.

The reserve’s residents spent years in hotel rooms and other accommodations, and the community is still rebuilding on higher ground.

Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger says having two permanent channels will protect lives and reduce the social and economic impacts of flooding.

Manitoba is paying two-thirds of the cost, and the federal government says its share is contingent on the project meeting requirements under a $14-billion infrastructure program.