Premier Brad Wall says the province is doing what it can to help the flood-stricken James Smith Cree Nation.
Heavy rains have sent 126 residents to hotels in Melfort after the community’s drinking water supply became contaminated.
Government officials say workers with the Ministry of Social Services are assisting the evacuees while the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority conducts assessments.
The Ministry of Agriculture has also loaned a massive pump to the community to help with the clean-up.
The First Nation says it needs money for much-needed repairs to its infrastructure.
According to the band, it has received $110,000 so far — but as much as $3.2 million is needed.
Wall wouldn’t get into the specifics of how much money will be doled out, but he says the immediate needs will be looked at through the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program:
“We have significantly changed the program. For example, when we took it over, a house that was damaged completely could get up to $160,000 in help. We’ve increased that, I think, to $240,000. We’ve dramatically reduced, almost eliminated, the deductibles required for people to access the support. We’re improved the amount of support available for almost all losses involved in a disaster.”
The federal government is expected to reimburse the province sometime in the future.