All Remaining 2011 Manitoba Flood Evacuees from Ebb and Flow First Nation Returning to New Homes in Their Community

WINNIPEG, May 7, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, announced today that all remaining 2011 Manitoba flood evacuees from Ebb and Flow First Nation will be returning home.

The Government of Canada invested approximately $8.7 million for 29 new homes and primary road work, which was completed in April.

As a result of these investments and the cooperation between our Government and the Ebb and Flow First Nation leadership, all flood evacuees will be back home in their community in the coming weeks.

The Government is also working with the province and First Nation governments to return flood evacuees from other Manitoba First Nations to their home communities.

Quick Facts

• As of early May, there were 51 long-term evacuees from Ebb and Flow First Nation and all are expected to return to their community in the coming weeks. Chief and Council will manage the process of moving evacuees into the homes.
• There are 29 new homes now available for community members.
• The new housing has been placed in areas that are either protected by permanent dikes built during the 2011 flood or in areas that were not affected by that flood.

Quotes

"Our Government's priority is the health and safety of Canadians; that's why I am so pleased that all remaining evacuees from Ebb and Flow First Nation will be able to return to their community, in one of the 29 newly built homes. We will continue working with the leadership of Ebb and Flow First Nation to ensure the families smooth return to their home community."

Bernard Valcourt
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

"The 2011 flood was a traumatic event for Ebb and Flow First Nation, and especially for the many people who were evacuated because of the severe infrastructure damages. Returning evacuees home is an important step in the recovery of our community. I thank the Government of Canada for its co-operation, and look forward to our partnership in moving our First Nation forward."

Chief Nelson Houle
Ebb and Flow First Nation

Related Products

Manitoba 2011 Flood Recovery - Status of Re-entry by Community
News release: Canada Advances Negotiations with Manitoba Flood Evacuees
News release: Harper Government Announces New Measures to Strengthen Emergency Management on Reserve

Associated Links

Fact Sheet - 2011 Manitoba Flood Evacuees: Update
Profile: Ebb and Flow First Nation
Website: Manitoba 2011 Flood Recovery

SOURCE: Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

Erica Meekes
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
819-997-0002

Media Relations
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
819-953-1160

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