An announcement regarding the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (2002 and 2005 Alberta floods)

Remarks by
The Honourable Stockwell Day
Minister of Public Safety

January 3, 2007
Alberta
As delivered

Thank you ladies and gentlemen for being here today. Thank you for your interest. It's an honour to be here with the Alberta Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Honourable Ray Danyluk. I'm here to announce funding in relation to some significant disasters that have taken place in the province.

In just a couple of minutes, I'll be presenting a cheque for $4.6 million for the floods of 2002. It's interesting, I was in Drumheller just this morning and I actually went by some of the areas that were affected in that particular flood, where some of the dykes had to be built higher and maintained.

I am also here to announce that an advance payment of $20 million has been made for the flood disasters that took place in 2005. If you recall, approximately 70 municipalities were affected at that time. In fact, 34 declared a state of local emergency and very significant damage affected almost one third of the province.

A federal program is in place so that anytime a province or territory is struck by disaster, a formula-based program of Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements is made available. I'm pleased to be presenting these funds today as part of those arrangements.

I would also like to take this opportunity to remind Albertans and all Canadians that disasters are catastrophic moments. This is especially true in the early days of a disaster, be it natural or otherwise.

That is why at the federal level, we are encouraging people to think about the first 72 hours of an emergency. That means being prepared individually, in our own homes, with a 72-hour emergency preparedness kit. This kit should include, for yourself and for your family, the necessary amount of water, food, blankets and other necessities.

During the first 72 hours of a disaster, the more people who are able to care for themselves, the easier it is for provincial and territorial first responders to do their vitally important work. And so, I want to remind people to be prepared, to look at purchasing kits.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm pleased to present a cheque to Minister Danyluk for $4.6 million. I'm very pleased that our officials are able to work with yours to assess the damages. We're also going to continue to work with your officials for the final assessment of those very disastrous impacts that took place during the floods of 2005.

It has been an honour, and I look forward to working with you again in the future.

Thank you.