A month after Ontario received funding from both the provincial and federal governments to help mitigate the effects of flooding, Newfoundland and Labrador is also receiving similar financial support.

Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Ralph Goodale announced that the federal government has pledged close to $1 million for NL’s flood mapping projects. The funding is being provided through the National Disaster Mitigation Program (NDMP).

“Floods are getting more severe, more frequent, and more damaging. This is a threat not only to the safety of our communities, but to our economic stability.  The Government of Canada is determined to reduce these risks in partnership with provinces and territories,” Goodale said in a statement.

NL Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment Graham Letto also announced that the provincial government would match the federal funding of nearly $1 million.

The three NL mapping projects the funds will be used for are:

• Dam Break Flood Inundation Mapping of Municipal Water Supply Dams;
• Humber River Communities Climate Change Flood Risk Mapping Study, and;
• Exploits River Communities Climate Change Flood Risk Mapping Study.

A release from Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada noted that the funding will also be used to update the Badger Ice Progression Flood Warning Model.

“The projects announced today will provide the tools to help Newfoundland and Labrador better protect the safety of our citizens, prepare for, and respond to flooding,” Goodale stated.

“To ensure the safety and well-being of residents living near the Humber and Exploits rivers and near municipal water supply dams, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has committed significant funding to these three mapping projects. We are pleased to work in collaboration with our federal partners to mitigate the effects of flooding on citizens, businesses, and communities,” Letto added.

The NDMP reflects an investment of $200 million over a period of five years; of the amount, $183 million is available for cost-shared, merit-based projects with provinces and territories to mitigate the impact of disasters.

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