Steinbach left out of expanded flood recovery program

The province of Manitoba has yet to respond to a late June letter from Steinbach city council asking to be reconsidered for disaster financial assistance in light of Premier Wab Kinew’s comments that all those impacted by floods would be covered regardless of insurance.

Kinew made those comments after flooding hit Stonewall and communities in western Manitoba, saying in June that even those who were eligible for insurance but did not have it, would receive government help.

At a June meeting, city council directed administration to write a letter to the province citing Kinew’s statements and ask them to reconsider funds for Steinbach residents who had flooded basements and sewer backups after two torrential downpours in 2024 and 2025.

But on July 28, one day after the province announced expanded disaster financial assistance programs to more municipalities, city manager Troy Warkentin confirmed they had yet to receive an answer to their letter.

The July 27 press release announced that the city of Dauphin, the RMs of Dauphin, Lakeshore, and Riding Mountain West along with the municipalities of Mossey River, Ethelbert, Grandview, Gilbert Plains, Ste Rose, Rossburn, Russell-Binscarth, Prairie View and Boissevain-Morton would all be included.

Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor said the heavy rainfall events in June caused extensive damage to homes, farms, businesses and public buildings.

“This expansion ensures that communities are provided with the essential support they need to recover and build mitigation strategies for the future,” she said in a news release.

In September 2025 Steinbach saw 134.5 mm of rain fall overnight, similar to one year previous.

They were turned down for assistance with provincial director of recovery and mitigation Erin Robbins saying at the time that the flood didn’t interrupt essential services, and that most homes were “generally insurable for the types of damage that were incurred by property owners.”

When council received that letter in April, Coun. Michael Zwaagstra said the program appears subjective, leaving it up to the whim of the government to decide whether or not to provide assistance.