Military to help with Parkland flood response, emergency management minister says

Military to help with Parkland flood response, emergency management minister says

Canadian Armed Forces members being deployed, Team Rubicon Canada volunteers heading to region

Federal military help is on the way for communities affected by devastating flooding in Manitoba's Parkland region.

Canada's Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski said she approved the provincial government's request for help with flood response and recovery efforts in a statement to CBC News late Friday.

Olszewski said federal officials had been in ongoing discussions with Premier Wab Kinew and Manitoba Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor, who is responsible for emergency management, since July 1.

The federal government will deploy a small team of Canadian Armed Forces members to help with immediate incident response, including logistical assistance and resource co-ordination, she said.

'A lot of heartbreak' amid devastating flooding in Manitoba's Parkland region

Veteran-led disaster response group Team Rubicon Canada, whose volunteers helped with flood preparation in Peguis First Nation earlier this spring, is being mobilized too.

The Canadian Red Cross is already working in the region, the minister said.

Officials with Canada's Government Operations Centre are offering co-ordination support to their provincial counterparts, including relieving incident response workers and getting important equipment like pumps and cleanup supplies.

As floodwaters recede and communities start recovery work, the federal government's humanitarian partners, such as the Red Cross, will stay on the ground to help, she said.

The province will get financial support from the federal government for this emergency response too, the minister said.

"We will continue working with the Province of Manitoba, local leaders and Indigenous partners, to make sure Manitobans have the support they need now and, in the weeks, and months ahead as recovery continues," Olszewski said.

Naylor said in a statement that the province is "grateful the federal government heard our calls and is stepping up with additional support."