COUNTY - Conservative MP Gerald Keddy says he has no idea why the federal government re-announced flood claim money Bridgewater received five years ago when the Liberals were in power.

 Conservatives issued a press release weeks ago, in which Mr. Keddy was quoted, with the message noting the $208,196 would help the town offset costs incurred during the floods of 2003.

 Town officials were scratching their heads over the announcement, thinking they received the money years ago.

 In fact, they did.

 A letter released by the town, written in 2004 by a Nova Scotia government official, states the province is "pleased to enclose a Province of Nova Scotia cheque in the amount of $208,196.31" to cover replacement of a damaged sewer line.

 Mr. Keddy distanced himself from the federal re-announcement that came from cabinet minister Peter Van Loan and Public Safety Canada.

 "It would have been a press release put out through by minister Van Loan's office at the time," Mr. Keddy said.

 However, he said, disaster relief funding takes time to get paid out and suggested the government of the day should have kept on top of things.

 "If it was never announced, it should have been announced."

 Floodwaters created by unprecedented rainfall combined with spring runoff in March 2003 damaged bridges and washed out roads in several communities. The Main Street of the South Shore was one of the communities impacted.

 It took about two years for Bridgewater to receive $77,000 as a result of a 2005 flood disaster claim.

advertisement

posted on 11/17/09