The Alberta government will restrict all future development in designated floodways.

“These are crucial decisions for the future of our province and the safety of our citizens,” says Doug Griffiths, Chair of the Ministerial Flood Recovery Task Force. “There will obviously be significant and extensive questions concerning the implementation of these policy directions. Our government has made good progress in flood-mapping municipalities most prone to flooding, and that work continues.”

Municipalities have not been informed of the legislative changes, which will be enacted in the fall of 2013, but the provincial government says it will discuss the move with those towns impacted by the decision over the next few weeks.

According to the province, the flood policy is similar to the current policies of federal flood assistance programs, as well as Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.