Premier Alison Redford told a Calgary radio show that the cost of rebuilding infrastructure damaged or destroyed in June’s flooding will likely top $5B.
"Our estimates right now is that we are looking at well over $5 billion in terms of infrastructure rebuild," she said on Monday.
She made the comments on Monday and adds that she’s spoken with Prime Minister Stephen Harper about the cost.
She says that Harper has made a commitment that Ottawa will cover some of the bill.
Redford also says that tough times are ahead as the province tries to fit the huge expense into its budget.
"We can continue to have an operating budget that balances and then we can invest in infrastructure by going to capital markets and ensuring the infrastructure that needs to be in place today for our communities can still be there," she said.
She noted the province has saved money in other areas so far this year and there is approximately $2 billion to $3 billion in its savings account that can be used to cover flooding costs.
While flooding only affected communities in the southern part of the province, Redford told her radio audience she believes Alberta taxpayers understand that the costs must be borne by everyone.
"When you talk to people across the province, a lot of people who live in watersheds that could have also been impacted understand that this time it was High River and Calgary, but it could have just as easily been them.
"We don't know where the next flood will strike -- it could just as easily be Grande Prairie. It could be Fort McMurray. It could be Edmonton."
Last March’s budget say a plethora of cuts to health care, education, as well as many other areas that many in the province are still reeling from.
(With files from CTVNews.ca)
