Medicine Hat MP LaVar Payne

As the spring session of the House of Commons has ended, Members of Parliament have returned to our ridings for the summer.  This summer period is a busy time for me as I will be spending the majority of my time in the various communities in our constituency, attending many events, talking with people and businesses, helping those with their questions and problems.  Canada Day celebrations are an important way to express our support of our beautiful and free country and I will be attending four Canada ceremonies that day in Medicine Hat, Brooks, Vauxhall and Rosemary.  Please express your support of our country by joining community celebrations.
I returned form Ottawa on the evening of Friday June 18th to the devastating floods of the creeks in southern Alberta and the damage caused in the southeast corner of the riding.  As the Member of Parliament, I was shocked by the damage and loss suffered by many individuals, families and businesses in Cypress County and Medicine Hat.  I toured the roads and farms of Cypress
County and Irvine on Saturday June 19th with Darcy Geigle, Reeve and Brad Betcker, Deputy Reeve, and watched a presentation of the flood compiled and narrated by Lutz Pershon, County Manager.  It is hard to imagine that these creeks carved new channels in the land and their fierce power tore away railway tracks, homes and bridges as they swelled to look more like the South Saskatchewan River.  Deputy Fire Chief Brian Stauth gave me a tour of the damage in and around Medicine Hat.  I thank these gentlemen for taking the time to tour me and provide insight to the structural damage and the impact of the loss of bridges, farms and homes for our citizens.
After I had the opportunity to see the extensive damage in our communities, farms and ranches I made several phone calls to our Federal Ministries to ensure they were fully aware of the devastation.  I was in contact with the Department Public Safety as well as the Department of Agriculture as these are the key departments that will be working with our Provincial Government to provide assistance to those affected by the flood damage.  The municipalities and province are assessing the damages and will be working with our federal government to assist in making available funding to provide aid to those in need.
I sympathize with everyone who had been affected by the floods and will be there to work with all levels of government to help those who need assistance as a result of the devastation.  I also commend the County, City of Medicine Hat, MLA’s, neighbours and all support services for their diligence and hard work in assessing and restoring services, roadways, homes, businesses and raising funds for south eastern Alberta.