Flooding and the impact on farmers and on the Peguis First Nation

Thursday May 12 I spoke in the Manitoba Legislature about the flood situation. My comments are below

Weather Event and Flooding

Mr. Gerrard: Madam Speaker, on behalf of our Liberal caucus, I thank all those who are working so hard to address the flood conditions and to protect people's lives and property. I will speak specifically to several concerns.

First, agriculture: there may be extensive areas of the province where there is late seeding. In earlier years, when conditions were like this, the government extended the crop insurance deadline and provided support for farmers who put in a green cover crop after the deadline. The government should announce its plans soon.

In earlier years, when plans were announced at the last minute, many farmers had laboured, sweated and muddied in crops to meet the deadline, when they would've been better to wait a few days 'til the land was drier with the extended deadline. I ask the government to let farmers know their intentions soon so farmers can better plan what to do.

Second, Peguis: this spring, shockingly, the community did not get an adequate flood warning until a day or two before it happened. Yet, the government has not made any announcements to date with respect to changes it will make in the future to make sure that Peguis gets more warning of an impending large flood.

Also, in relation to Peguis, the government should be updating the Legislature on any plans, discussion and consultations with the community with respect to the long-run plans to protect Peguis so that, like many communities along the Red River in southern Manitoba, they can be protected.

I would remind the minister that homes and communities in the Red River Valley are generally protected to a level of the '97 flood plus two feet. The government should accept no less a standard for Peguis First Nation.

With these points, I thank the minister for his comments and the opportunity we all have to consider the flood situation today.

Thank you. Merci. Miigwech.

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