WHEREAS, the province of Saskatchewan was extremely affected by flooding in both 2010 and 2011; and

WHEREAS, the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) provides funding for road repair after such flooding; and

WHEREAS, the assessment for 2010 damages was only completed by PDAP engineers at the end of the construction season in 2010 in most RMs, and the spring of 2011 brought more flooding and disaster damages; and

WHEREAS, the deadline for completion of 2010 municipal restoration projects is June 2012, which will not be ample time to complete these projects;

BE IT RESOLVED, that SARM lobby the Ministry of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing to extend the 2010 project deadline beyond the current extension to allow for proper completion due to the back-to-back flood/disaster years.

Response from Honourable D.F. (Yogi) Huyghebaert, Minister of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing:

Under current Provincial Disaster Assistant Program (PDAP) Regulations and guidelines, there is a one year deadline from the date of loss to complete all cleanup, repairs, restorations and replacements. A blanket extension of one year has already been granted to municipalities with active claims from 2010 and 2011 damages; for example if the expiry date to complete repairs from 2010 damage was June 1, 2011, the extension date would be June 1, 2012.

PDAP staff is aware of the concern raised by municipal governments that consecutive disaster years have impacted their ability to obtain the resources necessary to ensure work is complete by the claim deadline. Prior to the expiry date, a written request for extension may be submitted to PDAP, outlining the reason for the extension request and the additional time necessary to complete the work.

PDAP staff will work closely with municipalities to ensure claims are given the appropriate amount of time to allow for proper completion of all work.

If you have any questions, staff would be more than willing to assist you. They can be reached directly at 1-866-632-4033.