Helping Municipalities Reduce Flood Risk

Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey, on behalf of the Municipal Affairs Minister, announced funding for two projects under the Flood Risk Infrastructure Investment Program today, July 24.

Government is investing more than $208,000 to help the Municipality of the County of Colchester and the Town of Truro make river channel improvements and to stabilize the banks of rivers and brooks to help protect against the risk of floods.

"The government wants to ensure that municipalities are well protected during flooding and storm surges," said Ms. Casey. "Extreme weather is inevitable in Nova Scotia and the Flood Risk Infrastructure Program is designed to improve readiness of communities and reduce risk of excessive damage."

The program provides up to 50 per cent of eligible costs for each project.

The Municipality of the County of Colchester will be receiving $52,143 for Great Village River. The county and the Town of Truro will share $156,429 for McClures Brook.

"Great Village has seen considerable flooding in the past year and it is very important the improvements be carried out as soon as possible to alleviate flood damage," said Bob Taylor, mayor of Municipality of the County of Colchester. "McClures Brook, is also a significant source of flooding in areas of Truro and Colchester County.

"Without provincial funding it would have been a difficult task for the two municipalities to carry out these projects."

"Whether work is done in the county, town or Millbrook, it speaks of a regional approach to protecting our citizens from extreme weather events we are all facing now and in the future," said Bill Mills, mayor of Truro. "I want to thank the province for the continued support of the regional flood mitigation work being done co-operatively."