Municipal Reactions

Municipalities across southern Alberta were deeply impacted by the flood waters resulting in lost homes, businesses and public areas. In Calgary, flood damage has been estimated to be more than $256 million due mainly to infrastructure damage. The provincial government responded to these estimates by providing a $63 million advance to Calgary to help pay for the damage [1]. In addition to this funding, the City of Calgary also implemented the River Flood Mitigation Program to review Calgary’s flood response measures and mitigation efforts [2]. To evaluate mitigation measures an expert panel was appointed to address community and watershed issues. Alongside the provincial government assistance to select municipalities, the Government of Alberta established the Southern Alberta Flood Response Program to “ensure municipalities impacted by the June 2013 floods have the support and resources they need to undertake recovery efforts” [3].

Municipalities like Canmore and High River have displayed extraordinary courage and effective disaster relief efforts when facing the damage and destruction caused by the June flood waters. Moving forward, southern Alberta’s municipalities will continue to display leadership to address flood hazards and further implement preparedness strategies to respond to future floods. 

Sources

  1. Wood, James. “Province boosts cost of Alberta floods to $6 billion.” Calgary Herald. Published September 24, 2013. Accessed November 12, 2013. http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Province+boosts+cost+Alberta+floods+billion/8952392/story.html>
  2. “River Flood Mitigation Program.” City of Calgary. Accessed November 12, 2013. https://www.calgary.ca/UEP/WATER/Pages/Flooding-and-sewer-back-ups/Flood-panel.aspx?redirect=/floodpanel
  3. “Southern Alberta Flood Response Program.” Government of Alberta: Department of Municipal affairs. Accessed November 12, 2013. http://www.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/floodresponseprogram.cfm

Share this Post:

Photograph of WaterPortal Board Member Ross Douglas

Ross Douglas

Board Member

Ross has extensive executive experience in Operations, Governance, Information Technology and Strategy at the board and senior management level including Mancal Corporation, Mancal Energy, Highridge Exploration and Atlantis Resources. He has worked in Oil and Gas, Coal, Commercial Real Estate, Portfolio Management, Recreation, Retail and Water and Wastewater Treatment. His experience is also geographically diverse having overseen operations in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Additionally, he has been on the board of companies with operations in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Kazakhstan, and Russia. He has served on numerous Public, Private and Not for Profit Boards across a number of industries.

Ross has been active on several industry Boards and committees including the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and The Schulich School of Engineering Industry Advisory Council at the Schulich School of Engineering.

Photograph of WaterPortal Board Member Brian Mergelas

Brian Mergelas, PhD, ICD.D

Board Member

Brian is a seasoned Cleantech entrepreneur with a proven history of successfully bringing complex water technologies to the market.   With over 25 years of experience, he has led various organizations to achieve significant milestones in the industry. 

Having started as the founding CEO of the Pressure Pipe Inspection Company (PPIC) and later taking the helm at the Water Technology Acceleration Project (WaterTAP), Brian’s entrepreneurial spirit has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth within the sector. 

He is an active investor in the cleantech sector and has served on many boards including the Ontario Clean Water Agency. 

Actively engaged in industry associations like AWWA, WEF, IWA, and ASCE, Brian enjoys collaborating with fellow professionals to promote advancements in the field. 

Brian holds an undergraduate degree and a PhD in Physics from Queen’s University, which has provided him with a solid technical foundation.   As a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, he brings valuable insights to corporate governance.