As the province announces a new long-term flood mitigation program for Saskatchewan communities, First Nations are exempt, as there is a similar federal program.
The Water Security Agency has been contracted by Ottawa to provide flood assistance to affected First Nations.
“To provide emergency management assistance as it relates to flooding. That would include flood preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery. We’re in the midst of a five-year agreement, which First Nations can access,” said Ron Podbielski, a communications spokesperson with the Water Security Agency.
Podbielski says First Nations within municipalities would also be under federal jurisdiction, but may receive WSA help if flooding affects both the community and the First Nation.
Podbielski says so far this year, First Nations have not accessed the flood programs.
“First Nations territory would be covered under the federal program. So far, there haven’t been any First Nations files in 2018 on this program that have been opened,” Podbielski said.
He does note that the WSA did some flooding mitigation in 2017 for the Fishing Lake First Nation.
Environment Minister Dustin Duncan says since 2011, over 3,400 Saskatchewan clients have accessed $74 million to design and construct both temporary and permanent flood works.
(PHOTO: Flooding in Carrot River in July 2016. Photo courtesy of Shelly White, Facebook.)