High River Town Council says there were numerous failings of the Disaster Recovery Program in the wake of the massive flood of 2013.
A report by the High River Disaster Recovery Program Advocacy Committee (DRPAC) on behalf of town council claims a number of failings and provides a list of nearly 60 recommendations for improvement.
Hundreds of homes and businesses suffered damage in the flood in June of 2013, with many having to be condemned. According to the DRPAC report, there are still 450 files from 2013 that are still open or under appeal.
"There have been successes and improvements, but there are still problems with the DRP," said DRPAC Chair Jim Ross in a press release. "We want the people of Alberta to be aware of these problems so the Government will be motivated to fix a broken system. An effective DRP is critically important to all Albertans.”
In the same press release, Ross says a meeting with the Municipal Affairs Minister Danielle Larivee earlier this month was positive.
"Our government is making good progress on improving the Disaster Recovery Program as we work to close all remaining files," said Minister Larivee in the release. "I am reviewing the recommendations and look forward to continuing to work with DRPAC to improve and reform the Disaster Recovery Program."
The report calls for all outstanding files be complete by June 20, 2016, and all appeals by December 31, 2016.
