The provincial government of Manitoba has revealed that it will spend almost $8 million on its flood protection program this year – $5 million more than the original amount allotted on the one-time program.

According to a news release from the government, it added the extra funding to help over 80 municipalities in accessing more resources “while boosting economic activity during extraordinary global challenges.”

CBC News reported that the proposals for the funding under the flood protection program were reviewed by representatives of the provincial government, the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, and the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region.

A breakdown of the funding is as follows:

• $1.27 million for 14 municipalities in the province’s central district.
• $776,000 for 10 municipalities in the eastern district.
• $1.1 million for 10 municipalities in the Interlake district.
• $715,000 for nine municipalities in the midwestern district.
• $77,000 for two municipalities in the northern district.
• $759,000 for 11 municipalities in the Parkland district.
• $1.1 million for 15 municipalities in the western district.
• $2 million for 13 municipalities in the Winnipeg area.

The funding will cover things such as generators, pumps, steaming equipment to unclog frozen gutters, utility trailers, equipment for emergency operation centers, sandbags, and other small equipment that can help cities protect infrastructure and mitigate flood damage.

Manitoba has also announced an updated disaster financial assistance cost-sharing formula, allowing municipalities to earmark funding for disaster mitigation programs in their own communities. Changes planned for the program suggest that cities will cover the first $3.25 per capita, up from $1 per capita, before the disaster financial assistance formula applies.

Those changes are expected to come into effect April 01, 2020, said Municipal Relations Minister Rochelle Squires.