Hon. Glen Cummings (Minister of Natural Resources): I have a statement for the House, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, we have had heavy rains this past week and more rain is predicted for today which will create continuing flooding problems on the Souris River watershed. Forecast for today are another 40 millimetres or 1.5 inches of rain in the watershed. The rain is producing significant runoff, with conditions in many areas looking similar to what transpired three weeks ago when the snow melt was occurring. A strong weather system is moving through the area, and we are watching to determine what action will be needed.

At this time the Department of Highways and Transportation is considering rebuilding the dike on PTH 3. This additional rainfall, along with 115 millimetres or 4.5 inches of rain last week to most of the drainage areas from Minot to Wawanesa, is producing significant runoff. As reported on the weekend, some flooding is underway in lower-lying areas. Medora Creek was spilling its banks further upstream. Slow and steady rises are expected on the Souris River for approximately the next 12 days.

The unusually heavy rain since May 4 will extend the period of flooding along the Souris River to Manitoba for at least three to four weeks. It will be well into June before lower-lying lands along the river emerge, and the colder area will likely be past mid-June before it becomes dry–not good news for that area at all. While the rainfall was certainly of help in the forest firefighting situation in western and central areas of the province, it is however still dry in the north and eastern areas. This has affected the forest fires, and we are holding the fire in the Manigotagan area, but it should be noted that there are still 250 firefighters working in this area and good progress is currently being made. Rain may move north and that will significantly help this if it occurs in the next 24 hours. This rainfall has created concerns for our communities and agriculture producers in the Souris River watershed and in southwestern Manitoba, and we urge them to contact local Natural Resource officers if they need assistance.

* (1335)

Mr. Stan Struthers (Dauphin): Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for an update again in terms of firefighting and flood fighting. We on this side of the House are very pleased that the rain is helping out with the forest fire situation, putting us in the ball game there to control the fires and minimize the damage to Manitobans. We have to realize too, at the same time, that while we do not have a control over the tap, the amount of water that is hitting other parts of the province will cause damage and will cause grief for Manitobans living in the Souris River watershed.

I have been in contact with some of the local people from the area, and I want to congratulate them on the preventative flood damage measures that they have been taking in order to protect their communities and to protect their farms and to protect their businesses in the southwest corner of the province. I also urge the minister, not only in the prevention stage but after the flooding has occurred and if there is some damage that has been done, that the local people, the local R.M.s and town councils and individuals who are affected by the flood receive the continued support of the provincial government, something that we have raised in this House before.

I thank the minister for his statement and hope for all the best in the Souris River area for local people fighting this heavy amount of rain and flooding that may occur.