Military Support Deployed to Flood-Ravaged Manitoba After Federal Approval

The federal government has approved a request for military assistance to help flood-stricken areas in western Manitoba, following extensive rainfall since June 28. Canada's Minister of Emergency Management, Eleanor Olszewski, confirmed the decision, stating that federal support will continue to aid Manitobans during the recovery process.

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We will continue working with the province of Manitoba, local leaders and Indigenous partners, to make sure Manitobans have the support they need now and, in the weeks, and months ahead as recovery continues.

The assistance will include the deployment of a small contingent of Canadian Armed Forces members. Their role will focus on providing logistical support and coordinating resources on the ground. This military involvement aims to bolster ongoing efforts to manage the aftermath of the severe flooding that has impacted the region.

In addition to military aid, Team Rubicon Canada, a veteran-led disaster response organization, is set to deploy volunteers within 24 hours. These volunteers possess experience in military operations, emergency response, and disaster recovery, and will offer direct assistance to affected communities. Support from the Canadian Red Cross will also continue, working in conjunction with Manitoba's Emergency Coordination Centre.

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We need to get the basements stripped out, get the drywall out and prevent the mould from taking hold. We don’t want to tear the houses down, said Gade. And for that we just need the volunteers, and certainly the military is one option for that.

Reeve Bill Gade of Swan Valley West described the ongoing challenges, particularly in the Swan Valley area, where efforts are focused on saving homes by addressing issues like basement damage and preventing mold growth. Gade emphasized the need for volunteers and acknowledged the military as a potential resource. He also highlighted the immense cost of repairs to municipal infrastructure, estimating it to be over $10 million for his municipality alone, with the total cost across all affected areas being "unimaginable."

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We’re going to be over 10 million dollars in our municipality and times that by all the other ones. It’s just unimaginable how much this will cost.