The Government of Alberta looks to create a new program dedicated to mitigate and protecting against floods and droughts. (Photo: Pattison Media)

By David Opinko

Alberta proposes $125 million for new Drought and Flood Protection Program

Mar 4, 2024 | 10:25 AM

The Government of Alberta has announced a new program to mitigate and respond to droughts and floods.

If the 2024 provincial budget passes, it would allocate $125 million to the Drought and Flood Protection Program (DFPP) over the next five years.

In a release from the government, they say the program is designed to help vulnerable communities to develop long-term infrastructure that is needed to improve their drought and flood resilience, and to adapt to severe weather.

The DFPP would help to fund the design and construction of projects including relocating or drought-proofing critical infrastructure, improving drainage or water retention ponds, stabilizing riverbanks, and building flood barriers.

Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz said funding will be application-based and that municipalities, improvement districts, special areas, Metis Settlements and First Nations would all be eligible to apply.

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“Droughts and floods can devastate public infrastructure and private property, disrupt our economy, damage the environment and put lives at risk,” said Schulz. “The new Drought and Flood Protection Program would help communities across the province build the practical infrastructure they need to help protect people’s homes and keep businesses going, regardless of the weather.”

Rural Municipalities of Alberta president Paul McLauchlin said rural municipalities manage over 85 pe cent of Alberta’s land mass.

With a hotter and drier summer expected this year, he said he is pleased to see provincial support for initiatives aimed to protect communities.

“RMA is pleased with the introduction of the Drought and Flood Protection Program, and we look forward to seeing the innovative ways that the funding would be put to use by rural municipalities to lessen impacts of drought and flood events,” said McLauchlin.

More details on the DFPP can be found on the Government of Alberta website.

Sarah Elmeligi, Alberta NDP Banff-Kananaskis MLA & Critic for Environment and Tourism issued the following statement in response:

“The UCP has admitted that Alberta is facing our worst drought since 2001. Continuing to deny the role climate change plays in extreme weather conditions in the province isn’t helping with their preparedness over the short or long term.

“The UCP’s piecemeal approach to projects means smaller communities with fewer resources for pitching projects may fall through the cracks. A better approach to the drought plan would be to emphasize regional cooperation, as drought issues never are limited to one community.

“In addition, this announcement doesn’t have a plan to enhance and expand natural wetlands, which is by far the cheapest and most effective way to mitigate drought.

“Indigenous leaders have tried to get the Government’s attention for years as their communities are likely to suffer the most, but Minister Shulz could not definitively confirm what discussions her department has had with them.

“I know that Albertans will bravely face this potentially devastating season with the cooperative spirit they have always shown. The risk, however, of the government refusing to take climate change seriously must not hinder how it prepares for the extreme drought risk this year.”

READ MORE: ‘Responsible plan for a growing province’: Alberta reveals balanced budget, boosting health care and education funding

READ MORE: Warm spring expected in Alberta: The Weather Network

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