Two years after flooding ruined roads, bridges and other infrastructure in Saskatchewan, the federal government has announced it will pay the province its share of response and recovery costs.
High water levels caused by excessive snow melt and spring runoff in northeastern and east-central Saskatchewan caused problems from March to November 2007.
The province provided money to more than 80 communities to repair public and private property.
Last week, Ottawa said it will cost-share eligible expenditures under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements program.
Total damage was estimated at more than $100 million. A provincial spokesperson said Ottawa is auditing and reviewing the claims and will cover as much as 90 percent of some costs.
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Because of the number of claims, Ottawa is treating them as one so that the deductible won’t be charged repeatedly.
Federal public safety minister Peter Van Loan said governments have a responsibility to provide the best assistance possible when natural disasters strike.
“Our main priority is protecting the safety and security of Canadians, and governments stand together to restore infrastructure damaged by the floods and to protect the families and communities that depend on us,” he said in a news release.
It’s not known when the province will receive the money.
