Winnipeg Free Press

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O TTAWA - It's unfair of Ottawa to unilaterally tell the provinces they have to shoulder millions more of the cost when a natural disaster strikes, Premier Greg Selinger said Thursday. " It's a fairly significant download," said Selinger, who arrived in Ottawa Thursday for a premiers' meeting where disaster- aid changes will be a prominent item on the agenda. " It's a concern to all the premiers." Until this weekend, Ottawa's aid following a disaster kicked in after costs hit the equivalent of $ 1 per capita in a province. In Manitoba, the threshold for Ottawa's help starts at about $ 1.3 million, Selinger said, and Ottawa would begin paying 90 per cent of the costs when the bills exceeded $ 6.5 million. The new formula, which kicks in Feb. 1, means Ottawa won't start paying until the costs hit $ 3.9 million, and won't begin covering 90 per cent until the bills exceed $ 20 million. Selinger said many smaller emergencies may never qualify for federal aid now, and added the formula will be indexed to inflation so the provinces will continue to share larger portions of the bills in years to come. He said he was first told there was a change coming to the formula a couple of weeks ago. Federal Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney put out a release Jan. 16, and the formula will change this Sunday. " It was a unilateral decision, and it's come fairly rapidly," said Selinger. " It puts a lot more pressure on the provinces." In 2013- 14, a briefing package from the Department of Public Safety identified the rising costs associated with the disaster financial assistance program as the biggest risk facing the department and noted it was being reviewed for sustainability. But Selinger said changing the formula was never formally discussed with Manitoba. The premiers are set to discuss the issue at the meeting, but they won't get to raise it with Prime Minister Stephen Harper because he has declined an invitation to participate. Harper instead will be in Richmond Hill, Ont., today at an event to unveil his government's latest anti- terrorism legislation, which is expected to make it a crime to promote terrorism. Selinger said he's disappointed but not surprised Harper won't be there. " There should be an opportunity to get together, all of us," he said. Harper hasn't met the premiers as a group since 2009. Selinger, who has been premier for more than five years, has never been at a table with Harper and all of the other premiers. Only two current premiers - P. E. I.' s Robert Ghiz and Saskatchewan's Brad Wall - were in office when Harper met with all premiers during the last recession. The federal Liberals introduced a motion Thursday to ensure prime ministers have to meet the premiers regularly. During question period this week, Blaney defended the change, noting the formula hasn't changed since 1970. " What is most important for the communities of Manitoba, and I have been in Manitoba with the member for Saint Boniface, is that we are there to support the communities up to 90 per cent," Blaney said, answering a question from NDP MP Niki Ashton. He was referring to regional cabinet minister and Saint Boniface MP Shelly Glover. " When there are big disasters, the federal government is standing by those communities, and we will stand by those communities." The premiers are also expected to talk about infrastructure funding and cross- provincial trade barriers. mia. rabson@ freepress. mb. ca Feds should take lead on climate change, leaders say OTTAWA - Efforts by the provinces and territories to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse- gas emissions will be a top item of discussion at today's premiers meeting, says Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne. Wynne and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, meeting on the eve of the gathering, accused the federal government of an absence of leadership that has all but forced the provinces and territories to tackle carbon pricing and climate change on their own. Wynne said they're attempting to do so through the so- called Canadian Energy Strategy, a cleanenergy project involving all 13 provinces and territories. Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard is to update his counterparts about the project at the Council of the Federation meeting. Harper has been invited to attend, but is skipping it again, much to the chagrin of Wynne, who issued a personal invitation to him earlier this month. At a news conference with Wynne, Trudeau denied suggestions he recently argued the provinces and territories should grapple with climate change on their own. " Indeed, I am encouraged that over the past nine years of lack of leadership and inaction from the federal government, provinces are stepping forward with solutions to price carbon and to reduce greenhouse- gas emissions," he said. " But that doesn't absolve the federal government from needing to step up and take a very clear leadership role to demonstrate to the world that Canada is serious about taking on its responsibilities in terms of addressing and attacking climate change." New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant said he's hoping the provinces and territories will agree to co- operate on energy projects, such as TransCanada's Energy East pipeline. - The Canadian Press Premiers to debate disaster funding Federal- aid changes top meeting agenda By Mia Rabson ADRIAN WYLD / THE CANADIAN PRESS Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and Ontario's Kathleen Wynne A_ 12_ Jan- 30- 15_ FP_ 01. indd A10 1/ 29/ 15 7: 58: 07 PM ;