Canada helps protect three Alberta communities from flood risks

News Release

Projects in Canmore, Bragg Creek and Raymond

October 13, 2016 - Canmore, Alberta - Infrastructure Canada

All Canadians deserve to live in communities that are safe and protected from natural hazards and events. After the southern Alberta floods in June 2013 caused widespread economic and social damage in the region, the governments of Canada and Alberta are making investments to address flood risks. These projects will help build and protect the safe and thriving communities we want for our children, grand-children and great-grand-children.

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; Cameron Westhead, MLA for Banff-Cochrane; John Borrowman, Mayor of the Town of Canmore; Liz Breakey, Bragg Creek area Councillor for Rocky View County; and George Bohne, Mayor of the Town of Raymond, were in Canmore today to announce new federal funding for three disaster mitigation projects.

The Government of Canada will be contributing a total of over $20.5 million for these projects. In Canmore, funding will go towards a dam to help protect against flood damage. In the nearby Hamlet of Bragg Creek, the funds will be used to guard against future flood damage and control erosion. In the Town of Raymond, it will go towards a stormwater diversion project. These three projects will help to protect more than 180 local businesses and thousands of residents, as well as encourage future growth and business investments in the area.

Quote

"The Government of Canada is committed to building safer and more resilient communities, which is critical for attracting economic opportunities for the middle class and those trying to join it. Strategic investments in effective disaster mitigation projects like these reduce the frequency and severity of impacts, and protect our communities and public infrastructure from extreme natural events."

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi,
Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Like many communities in southern Alberta, the risk of flooding in Canmore, Bragg Creek, and Raymond is a threat to public safety and a potential disruption to the local economy. I am pleased to see this additional investment in flood resiliency to build on the provincial funding that is already in place. Flood mitigation projects such as these help our communities adapt to a changing climate where extreme weather events will be more common."

The Honourable Shannon Phillips,
Minister of Environment and Parks, Minister Responsible for the Climate Change Office

"Both Bragg Creek and Canmore were heavily impacted during the 2013 floods. Effectively mitigating the risk of flooding is a top priority for residents and business owners in these communities. With both provincial and federal funding now in place, both of these important projects are now one step closer to being in place to protect both people and property."

Cameron Westhead,
MLA for Banff-Cochrane

"The Town of Canmore is pleased to hear that the Federal Government will be contributing funding towards the Cougar Creek Long Term Mitigation project. The proposed debris retention structure will protect thousands of residents and critical infrastructure during a flood event. It is a large and expensive undertaking and this funding brings it one step closer to being a reality. I would like to thank Minister Sohi and the Government of Canada for their commitment to this project."

John Borrowman,
Mayor, Town of Canmore

"Recovering from the disastrous flooding of 2013 has been a difficult journey for the hamlet of Bragg Creek. Compounding that difficulty has been the concern that a similar event could happen again. Through this funding, the Government of Canada is helping us pay for infrastructure to prevent future flooding. But what we're really buying is the peace of mind that Bragg Creek has a bright and viable future. That confidence in the future is the true legacy of the New Building Canada Fund."

Liz Breakey,
Bragg Creek area Councillor for Rocky View County

"This stormwater management project provides our community and region with critical severe weather infrastructure. This mitigating infrastructure will significantly improve public health and safety during extreme weather events. It protects residential property, critical provincial and municipal infrastructure. We feel it a major step towards our resiliency."

George Bohne,
Mayor of Raymond

Related Products

Backgrounder: Canada helps protect three Alberta communities from flood risks

Associated Links

Contacts

Brook Simpson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-219-0149
brook.simpson@Canada.ca

Kyle Ferguson
Press Secretary
Alberta Environment and Parks
780-217-3909
Kyle.Ferguson@gov.ab.ca

Adam Robertson
Supervisor of Communications
Town of Canmore
403-678-1530
arobertson@canmore.ca

Amanda Bradley
Communication Advisor
Rocky View County
403-520-3901
ABradley@rockyview.ca

Scott Barton
Chief Administrative Officer
Town of Raymond
403-308-0034
scottbarton@raymond.ca

Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
media@infc.gc.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada


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2024-08-22