Progress being made in Canada’s costliest disaster
Posted Sep 24, 2013 1:45 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It may have only been 100 days but, it’s feels more like 100 years.
Minister of Municipal Affairs Doug Griffiths gave his latest update on the flood recovery in the Calgary Chamber of Commerce Tuesday morning.
In his address, he told a room full of business leaders and reporters, the province remains on track in its rebuilding efforts
He took the opportunity to announce a $63-million advance for Calgary to aid in its recovery.
Griffiths says it’s approximately a quarter of what the city has asked for.
“A very quick analysis of the list and what we confirmed was definitely; we already had the costs on and it wasn’t a ballpark,” he explains. “We already knew exactly what it would cost and what we could advance them; that’s where the number came from.”
Alberta has already received a $500-million advance from the federal government itself.
When asked, he didn’t mince words when it came to how much money he’s expecting to see from Parliament Hill.
“As much as I can get,” he smiles. “Our estimates on the disaster itself could be in the $2 to 2.5 billion range.”
The provincial government is also planning to ask Ottawa to help pay for flood mitigation.
Griffiths also wants to change the law this fall to prohibit future development on the floodway.
Before the flood, legislation suggested to municipalities that they shouldn’t build in that area, the Minister however wants to use more concrete language.
He’s put out a request to mayors and councils, in the more than 30 affected communities, asking for their input.
“Everybody’s focused on this. We’ll get some good feedback from them and then we’ll start to draft the changes to the legislation,” he explains. “It will be this fall; I want it done.”
Next Friday they plan to hold a symposium for affected communities to talk about future mitigation plans.
It will be from 8a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Deerfoot Inn.
Experts, community representatives and Albertans have been invited to generate and discuss ideas.
The forum will be webcast live next week, to view it click here.
