Flood Update April 28

On Thursday April 29^th, I spoke I response to a Ministerial statement on the flood situation for Manitoba.

Severe Weather Event Forecast

Mr. Gerrard: Madam Speaker, we are all quite concerned about the possibility of additional precipitation this weekend. We've already had a lot; we don't particularly need any more. But I think it's really important that Manitobans around the province are aware of the situation and are preparing as much as can be possible.

I salute those like the RM of Morris, who are taking a lot of precautions at the moment, hoping that the worst doesn't happen but being ready for it in case it does.

There are now six rural municipalities which have declared state of emergencies. This is a spreading of the state of emergencies, and the impact of the rain that we've had and the snow that we've had.

Madam Speaker, there's a little bit of a tendency to dismiss the importance of overland flooding, but it can be very important. It may not be as big a deal as a major Red River or Assiniboine flood, but to the individual homeowners affected, it is a big deal.

I ask, once again, for the minister to consider restoring a basement flooding support program that was there.

I want to thank the minister for the briefing this morning. It was much appreciated, the sharing of information and the dialogue and discussion.

I want to thank all those who are working hard to prevent further damage and hope that we can get through this and also that the government will start paying a little more attention to climate change issues and to reducing greenhouse gases, because climate change is part of the reason for this.

Thank you.

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