Gerrard calls upon NDP for independent flood review to prevent future mismanagement

 WINNIPEG – Liberal Leader Jon Gerrard is calling upon Premier Greg Selinger to conduct an independent review of the 2011 flood to ensure thousands of Manitobans do not again suffer the financial and emotional effects of damage to their homes and livelihoods.  Gerrard, who has travelled extensively throughout the province meeting with flood-affected Manitobans this year, has released his own interim report with 33 specific recommendations. 

 “By neglecting to conduct an independent review of the costliest flood in Manitoba’s history, the NDP government refuses to learn from their considerable mistakes,” says Gerrard.  “With estimates of flood expenditures by governments at $815 million and rising, this province cannot afford more of the same planning from the NDP.”

 The Liberal’s 2011 flood report concludes that severe flooding on Lake Manitoba was a result of the wet weather of 2010 and heavy snowfall in Western Manitoba in 2010-11; the drain-only policy of the last 40 years of Tory and NDP governments; and, the failure of governments since the 1970s to complete the needed improved outlet from Lake Manitoba to Lake Winnipeg. 

“While the Filmon government called for an independent review soon after the 1997 flood, the Selinger government prefers to not draw attention to their mismanagement,” adds Gerrard.  “Both parties have failed to implement certain recommendations from the 1997 review, which have contributed to the extent of the damage of subsequent flooding in Manitoba.” 

If the NDP government so chooses, an independent review of the 2011 flood will ensure improvements are made along the Souris and Assiniboine Rivers, Lake Manitoba, Lake St. Martin, the Fisher River, Lake Dauphin, the Shoal Lakes, the Interlake area and the Salt Lakes near Strathclair, providing future protection needed for these regions.

A full copy of Jon Gerrard’s Interim Report is viewable for download on the party’s PLATFORM and POLICY page.

 For more information, please contact:

Nancy Chippendale, Communications Director – Manitoba Liberal Caucus

167-450 Broadway Ave, R3C 0V8

204.771.2513 – nancy.chippendale@leg.gov.mb.ca