The Manitoba government has revealed that it will help cover costs related to the snowstorm event that struck the province in October.
Premier Brian Pallister announced last week that municipalities, homeowners, farms and small businesses that were affected by the snowstorm can apply to the disaster financial assistance program. Although the total amount to be paid out through the program is not yet known, Pallister estimated that it would be around $12.5 million.
The disaster assistance fund will cover some of the costs of evacuations, municipal response, and repairs to damaged infrastructure. The fund will also cover non-insurable damage to homes and buildings essential to the operation of farms and other businesses.
The premier is expecting about 20 municipalities to apply for assistance, with the largest claim likely coming from the city of Winnipeg. The October snowstorm caused tens of thousands of trees in Winnipeg to break, creating $10 million in damage.
Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler projected that the assistance program will likely provide about $7.2 million for storm damage in Winnipeg.
Pallister also said that he is confident that the storm’s effects on Manitoba will qualify for federal assistance.
The federal government may cover a portion of the costs for disaster assistance under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements program through a cost-sharing formula. This could leave the province of Manitoba responsible for some of the initial payments, but that money can be recouped from the federal government – CBC News reported that this process can take years.
