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EDMONTON – Municipalities and Indigenous communities in the Fort McMurray region can apply for a share of $25 million in provincial funding for flood and drought protection projects, under a program that has already supported drinking-water infrastructure upgrades in Fort McKay.
The Alberta government is accepting applications for the latest round of its Drought and Flood Protection Program, which provides grants to help communities protect homes, businesses and critical infrastructure from extreme weather.
The province says $25 million will be awarded in the spring, with applications due Dec. 21.
“Drought and floods threaten public safety, damage infrastructure and private property, and hurt our economy,” said Grant Hunter, minister of Environment and Protected Areas.
“An additional $25 million will help communities across Alberta build the infrastructure they need.”
Fort McKay is among the communities that have already benefited from the program, receiving support for upgrades to drinking-water infrastructure.
Other previously funded projects include improvements to water supplies in Sylvan Lake, protection of critical infrastructure on Siksika Nation and flood protection for Medicine Hat’s wastewater treatment plant.
The program has provided approximately $71.5 million to 39 projects across Alberta since 2024-25. Including contributions from other levels of government, the total investment exceeds $121 million.
The latest funding is part of a five-year, $125-million provincial commitment to drought and flood protection.
Eligible applicants include municipalities, First Nations, Métis Settlements, Tribal Councils, regional service commissions, improvement districts and special areas.
The province has also expanded eligibility to corporations undertaking projects that provide broader community benefits, protect critical infrastructure or improve public safety.
The general cost-sharing arrangement is 50-50, although provincial contributions to corporate-led projects will be capped at 30 per cent.
Projects eligible for funding include flood barriers, berms, flood walls, bank stabilization, retention ponds and diversion structures.
Funding can also be used to relocate vulnerable infrastructure, improve access to critical services and purchase property needed for flood protection projects.
Kara Westerlund, president of Rural Municipalities of Alberta, says the funding is particularly important for rural communities responsible for managing large areas of land.
“Rural municipalities are on the front lines of flood and drought mitigation, managing 85 per cent of Alberta’s land,” Westerlund said.
“The Drought and Flood Protection Program has shown to strengthen resilience and protect rural communities and industry.”
The province says successful applicants are expected to have projects ready for construction during the 2027 building season.
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