Drumheller, Alberta, March 12, 2019—Now more than ever, communities need help adapting to the frequent and intensifying weather events caused by climate change. Reducing the impact of natural disasters such as flooding is critical to keeping Canadian families safe, protecting local businesses and supporting a strong economy and middle class.
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, today announced funding for a project to enhance Drumheller's Flood Mitigation and Climate Change Adaptation System.
The project involves building new dykes in critical areas along the Red Deer River and carrying out vital improvements to existing ones. Work will also be done to better protect the river banks from natural erosion, and monitoring tools will be put in place to alert the Town of Drumheller and the Dickson Dam of rising water levels so emergency protocols can be carried out on short notice.
This work will significantly increase Drumheller's resiliency to the intensifying flood risks of ice jams, high river flows and extreme rainfall caused by climate change. It will better protect more than 8,000 residents, reduce the number of people who go without essential services during these incidents and greatly reduce long-term recovery costs.
The Government of Canada is contributing $22 million to this project through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund.
"Taking concrete steps to adapt to the impacts of climate change is more and more essential to ensuring a safe prosperous future for our kids and grandkids. With this investment in Drumheller's flood mitigation infrastructure, we're helping the community get ahead of the problem to protect its residents and reduce the heavy toll of such events for years to come."
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
"Extreme weather is becoming more severe, more frequent, more damaging and more expensive because of climate change. By investing in the infrastructure that protects our neighbourhoods, businesses, and families, we are building communities that can withstand future natural disasters and thrive for generations to come."
The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety
"Living in a flood community is living with an imminent risk that threatens our people, our property and our unique history of dinosaurs. We are extremely grateful for the federal government's significant investment in our proactive and sustainable flood-mitigation and climate adaptation plan.Small communities simply cannot afford these pivotal investments alone. Together, we will change the channel on flood readiness in Drumheller and shape the future of our community by protecting our people, our property, our economy, our environment and our cultural heritage."
Her Worship Heather Colberg, Mayor of Drumheller
Quick facts
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The Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) is a $2-billion, 10-year program to help communities build the infrastructure they need to better withstand natural hazards such as floods, wildfires, earthquakes and droughts.
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DMAF is part of the federal government's Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, which is providing more than $180 billion over 12 years for public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and rural and northern communities.
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Investing in green infrastructure that helps communities cope with the intensifying effects of climate change is an integral part of Canada's transition to a more resilient, low-carbon economy, which is among the commitments made under the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.
