Government of Canada contributes to Nepewassi Bridge replacement

MARKSTAY-WARREN, ON, June 27, 2018 /CNW/ - Flooding is Canada's costliest and most frequent natural disaster. Today, Marc Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt, on behalf of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced $362,500 in federal funding to Ontario under the National Disaster Mitigation Program to better plan for and protect against the effects of flooding.  

This funding will contribute to the replacement of the Nepewassi Lake Road Bridge with a new structure designed to mitigate and withstand future flooding. The bridge provides the only route to the southern properties and a new structure will ensure access is not cut off to the residents living in the area.

Through the Ontario Government, the Corporation of the Municipality of Markstay-Warren is contributing $362,500 in funding for this project.

The Government of Canada is committed to working with provincial and territorial partners on a disaster relief approach that will allow us to better identify, plan for and reduce the impact of weather-related emergencies and natural disasters on Canadians.

Quotes

"The new structure will provide a safer and more reliable crossing for residents living in Markstay-Warren and help ensure that access to their properties is not cut off in the event of flooding, at any time of the year. This project, and others funded by the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program, is an important part of the Government's strategy to address the soaring cost of natural disasters."

- Marc Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt, on behalf of the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

"On behalf of the Municipality of Markstay-Warren, I would like to thank the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness for the federal funding for the Nepewassi Bridge project. Just a few years ago, the Nepewassi Bridge flooded out and stranded a number of our residents. With the more severe weather that we are now experiencing and thanks to the federal funding, we are now able to upgrade this bridge so that those living in that area of our community will no longer have to worry about it not being passable."

- Steve Salonin, Mayor of Markstay-Warren

Quick Facts:

• The NDMP reflects an investment of $200 million over five years, of which $183 million is available for cost-shared, merit-based projects with provinces and territories to reduce the impacts of natural disasters. The Government of Canada cost-shares up to 50 per cent of eligible expenses for provincial projects and 75 per cent of eligible expenses for territorial projects.
• Since the launch of the NDMP in 2015, the NDMP has approved funding for 273 projects across Canada that are helping to build safer, more resilient communities.
• Through the NDMP, the Government of Canada is helping to address rising flood risks and costs, and build the foundation for informed investments that could reduce, or even negate, the effects of flood events. Funding is available for risk assessments, flood mapping, mitigation planning and small scale mitigation projects such as storm culverts.
• In addition to investing in provincial and territorial flood mitigation projects through the NDMP, the Government of Canada:
• Is investing in public awareness activities and risk and resiliency tools like the Federal Flood Mapping Guidelines, to help all levels of government to make informed decisions around flood mitigation;
• Has created a new $2 billion federal Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund to support the infrastructure required to deal with the effects of a changing climate; and
• Is integrating climate resilience into the National Building Code and conducting research to factor climate resilience into the design of buildings.
• According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, insured damage in 2016 topped $4.9 billion – passing the previous annual record of $3.2 billion set in 2013—and that the annual economic cost of disasters around the world has increased five-fold since the 1980s.   Flooding damage has accounted for 80% federal disaster assistance payments over the past 20 years.
• Studies have demonstrated that when structural and non-structural investments are implemented in concert, the result is a 6:1 return on investment.

Associated Links

• National Disaster Mitigation Program
• FloodReady
• Federal Flood Mapping Guidelines
• Integrating climate resilience into the National Building Code

SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada