After months of extreme weather, the Saskatchewan Party government moved Tuesday to bolster the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP).
Premier Brad Wall announced in North Battleford – the site of Saskatchewan’s latest flooding, after intense rains last month – that the government would lower the deductible amount and increase the amount of compensation available to individuals.
The program provides financial aid for essential, uninsurable property caused by floods, tornadoes, plow winds or severe storms.
The changes announced Tuesday include decreasing the deductible for private claimants from 20 per cent to five per cent, increasing the maximum amount of assistance available for principal residences from $160,000 to $240,000 and for eligible small businesses, non-profits, boards and primary agriculture enterprises from $160,000 to $500,000.
Also, Saskatchewan residency requirements for small businesses and agriculture enterprise owners have been eliminated.
All changes are retroactive to April 1.
In a news release, Wall said increasing the deductible will be a major benefit. Someone with $10,000 in damages would potentially see their compensation increase by $1,500.
The expected cost to the provincial government from the changes was not immediately available.
More than 100 communities have been designated as eligible disaster areas after heavy rains and tornadoes this summer.
Last week the Opposition called for changes to PDAP including eliminating the $160,000 limit and to have the program cover 100 per cent of losses rather than the current 80 per cent, with the assessment based on the current replacement value of property.
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