February 13, 2019 — Winnipeg, MANITOBA — Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Climate change is one of the greatest collective challenges Canada faces as a nation. The Government of Canada is committed to working in partnership with First Nation communities to tackle climate change, grow the economy, and ensure a more sustainable and prosperous future for Canada.
Today, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, announced an investment of $814,000 to the Interlake Reserves Tribal Council to help reduce risks from climate-related hazards such as flooding and wildfires.
With this investment, the Interlake Reserves Tribal Council is undertaking a Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment to support the development of an emergency management framework to mitigate extreme flooding events within its six First Nation communities. These communities are: Dauphin River First Nation, Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation, Lake Manitoba First Nation, Little Saskatchewan First Nation, Peguis First Nation, and Pinaymootang First Nation.
The First Nation Adapt program provides funding to First Nation communities located below the 60th parallel to assess and respond to climate change impacts on community infrastructure and emergency management.
"The impacts of climate change are not in the distant future, they have arrived. The Government of Canada is proud to partner with Interlake Reserves Tribal Council in taking important steps to plan for and adapt to the new realities in our environment."
The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
"Interlake Reserves Tribal Council and its 6 member communities have been at the fore front when dealing with emergency management and the natural disasters caused by climate change. In 2011 our communities were flooded out by a man made emergency outlet channel to save the City of Winnipeg and we were the ones impacted. With this initiative not only will we be able plan and prepare but combined with our Emergency Operations this will help us become even more resilient. We also want to partner with nearby towns and municipalities to help everyone in the region
Chief Cornell McLean
Chairman of Interlake Reserves Tribal Council
Quick facts
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The First Nation Adapt Program is part of a Budget 2016 commitment to provide $129.5 million over five years to seven federal departments and agencies to implement programming focused on building the science base to inform decision-making, on protecting the health and well-being of Canadians, on building resilience in the North and Indigenous communities, and on enhancing competitiveness in key economic sectors.
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The First Nation Adapt program is currently supporting nine community projects in Manitoba First Nations in 2018-2019 with investments of approximately $1.5 million.
