CHARLOTTETOWN, July 9, 2008 - The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, today announced that the Government of Canada provided a final payment for flooding which occurred in 2003 and an interim payment for damage caused by Hurricane Juan to Prince Edward Island under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA).
"I am pleased to make the final payment of more than $1.2 million for severe flooding and an interim payment of $500,000 to Prince Edward Island for Hurricane Juan," said Minister Day. "Our government is dedicated to working collaboratively with the provinces and territories when natural disasters strike, and to provide the best assistance possible to Canadians when they need it."
"The province of PEI is grateful for the financial assistance provided through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements program following these two events," said PEI's Health Minister, Doug Currie. "On behalf of Premier Robert Ghiz, Community, Cultural Affairs and Labour Minister, Carolyn Bertram and all Islanders, I would like to extend our gratitude to Minister Stockwell Day and the federal government for their assistance, these two storms were among the most devastating in recent Island history."
A severe rainstorm in the spring of 2003 caused extensive flooding in many areas of PEI, including the Queens and Kings County areas. The provincial expenditures eligible for federal support under the DFAA included repairs to roads in areas including Lower Montague, St. Nicolas and Maple Plains. The final payment of $1,219,114 was in addition to a $650,000 payment made in 2004.
The interim payment of $500,000 was made to reimburse the province for the extensive damage to private property and infrastructure across the Island caused by Hurricane Juan in the fall of 2003.
Last January, Minister Day announced revised DFAA guidelines to help improve the payment process. The revised DFAA guidelines represent a significant step forward in strengthening emergency management in Canada. They expand the range of eligible expenses for federal assistance to part-time farmers, small business owners and non-profit volunteer groups, and simplify the payment process following a natural disaster. They also support improvements to damaged infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, to help prevent similar damage in the future.
The revised guidelines came into effect on January 1, 2008, and apply to natural disasters on or after that date. The previous guidelines still apply to events which occurred prior to that date, such as Hurricane Juan and the PEI floods of 2003.
Since the inception of the DFAA in 1970, the Government of Canada has provided more than $1.8 billion to the provinces and territories in disaster financial assistance.
Information:
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
Mélisa Leclerc
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Stockwell Day
Minister of Public Safety
613-991-2863
