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PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT PAYS $2.4 MILLION TO WEATHER-STRICKEN MUNICIPALITIES

Released on July 26, 2007

Municipalities claiming for damage from natural disasters since 2005 will benefit from $2.4 million in grants from the Province.

The Department of Corrections and Public Safety will provide grants to municipalities claiming under the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) for damage from weather-related events over the three-year period starting in 2005.

The value of the grant will be based on the difference between the total amount of the deductible typically determined under PDAP and the established maximum for the three-year period based on 0.05% of the municipal tax assessment. Currently, deductible amounts for damage claims under PDAP are not fixed. At the same time, Corrections and Public Safety will review PDAP eligibility and payment criteria and provide Cabinet with recommendations for improvement by the end of the current fiscal year.

"Currently PDAP regulations mean that municipalities most hard-hit by the recent series of natural disasters, particularly flooding, are paying significant amounts for the costs of recovery," Corrections and Public Safety Minister Ron Harper said. "Fiscally we can do more, and we are, to recognize this hardship on municipalities by reducing the costs for which they are responsible."

"Today's announcement is a demonstration of this government's commitment to supporting municipalities and making life better for their residents," Government Relations Minister Harry Van Mulligen said. "We are providing real and positive assistance for municipalities that have been affected by multiple disasters."

"The flooding of the past three years in the north-east portion of our province has hit municipalities very hard," Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities president David Marit said. "The lightening of costs will give them some much-needed additional support."

"Today's grant announcement is welcome news to the many urban municipalities that have recently been hit hard by natural disasters," Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association President Allan Earle said. "The funds available through this program will provide the much needed relief to assist these municipalities as they rebuild their communities."

Since 2005, 155 municipalities have been designated eligible for disaster assistance, with damage amounting to around $26 million. PDAP provides financial assistance to municipalities and communities claiming for damage to uninsurable property from a natural disaster, such as floods, tornadoes, plow winds or severe storms. The province recovers a portion of its costs for compensating municipalities from the federal Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements.

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For more information, contact:

Judy Orthner
Corrections and Public Safety
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5883
Email: jorthner@cps.gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-535-2233

Tyler McMurchy
Government Relations
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5193
Email: tmcmurchy@gr.gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-537-7051

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