Cost for Manitoba 2011 flood evacuees hits $79M; tab rising $1.5M a month

WINNIPEG – Caring for Manitoba’s flood evacuees has cost $79 million so far and officials say there’s no telling how high the final bill could be.

They say it costs about $1.5 million a month to care for First Nations residents who are still unable to return to their homes following severe spring flooding in 2011.

Federal government officials say they don’t know how much the evacuation will end up costing, but funding will continue until evacuees can return home.

Manitoba Aboriginal Affairs Minister Eric Robinson says he would like to see people settled permanently within the year.

About 2,000 native people were driven out of their homes two years ago and have been living in hotels and rental housing.

The Lake St. Martin reserve was virtually destroyed by high water and officials have been trying to find a new home for the band.