Canada calls for National Disaster Mitigation Program proposals

Otawa, Canada - The ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness of Canada launched the first call for proposals within the CAD$ 200 million (approx. US$ 165 million) National Disaster Mitigation Program (NDMP), as part of the Government’s commitment to build safer and more resilient communities.

In recognition of increasing disaster risks and costs, the NDMP will address rising flood risks and costs, and build the foundation for future informed mitigation investments that could reduce, or even negate, the effects of flood events. More than 85% of all Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements-funded recovery efforts have been flood-related, Public Safety Canada reported.

The Honourable Steven Blaney, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, said: “This important investment will help reduce flood-related costs for all levels of government and help Canadians in high-risk communities avoid the heartache associated with reoccurring flooding in their communities”.

Through this five years program, provinces and territories will be able to apply for cost-sharing for flood prevention and mitigation projects. Public Safety Canada will work with provinces, territories and other partners on the assessment criteria for projects funded by the NDMP. The NDMP will be a merit based process where projects may be selected using objective and measurable criteria such as risk assessments, project readiness and return on investment for proposed projects.

Provincial and territorial (P/T) governments are the eligible recipients for project funding under the NDMP. However, P/Ts are encouraged to engage their respective communities and other various stakeholders to planning and proposing NDMP projects, and also to work in partnership with them to undertake these projects.

The Government of Canada will cost share up to 50% of eligible provincial project costs and up to 75% of eligible project costs in the territories. Eligible projects could include both non-structural investments, such as flood-mapping and forecasting, and small-scale structural investments, such as retrofitting or modernizing existing buildings to improve resiliency.

This funding is in addition to the investments made under the CAD$53 billion New Building Canada Fund announced in 2013, which includes a CAD$14 billion fund for mitigation and disaster risk reduction that consist of a national infrastructure component to support projects of national significance; a provincial-territorial infrastructure component for projects of national, regional and local significance and a funding for public-private partnerships.

The NDMP reflect the Canadian government shift towards a proactive disaster relief model that will better protect Canadians and their communities from the costs and heartache associated with reoccurring flooding. These investments will allow Canadian jurisdictions to gain a broader understanding of the risks faced across the country and contribute to building resilient communities.