Rural and urban municipalities, towns, villages and First Nations communities claiming assistance for losses from natural disasters through the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) can receive an advance payment of 60 per cent of their total estimated claim.
This policy was recently implemented to help alleviate financial hardship for the more than 300 communities eligible for disaster assistance under PDAP.
"We appreciate that the significant infrastructure losses being experienced by many municipalities could mean some cash flow issues," Corrections, Public Safety and Policing Minister D.F. (Yogi) Huyghebaert said. "By providing communities with 60 per cent of their total claim up front, they can start the recovery process faster."
To date, 40 municipalities have received $3.37 million in advance PDAP payments. Once the engineering report on their PDAP claim is received and approved, eligible municipalities can see their 60 per cent advance payment in a matter of days.
Municipal claims are subject to a deductible equal to one-tenth of one per cent of a community's most recent tax assessment.
The municipal deductible is charged only once a year even though a community might have experienced damage from more than one natural disaster event in a single year.
"The unprecedented flooding experienced by communities across Saskatchewan should not stifle our ability to continue to grow and prosper as a province," Huyghebaert said. "That is why this government is working to ensure timely financial support through PDAP."
