The Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) is designed to help residents, small businesses, agricultural operations, communal organizations, nonprofit organizations, parks and communities recover from the effects of natural disasters, including flooding, tornadoes, plow winds and other severe weather.

PDAP is not a substitute for private insurance nor does it provide full compensation for losses. Instead, the program covers damages to uninsurable, essential property. Eligible claims can include clean-up costs, the replacement of essential household items, structural repair and restoration, and preventative measures taken during a disaster.

Local authorities (cities, towns, villages, resort villages, provincial parks, rural municipalities, First Nations) serve as the access point for residents and businesses seeking aid from PDAP. A community must first apply to be designated as a disaster area before individual private claims can be submitted.

PDAP is a cost shared program which covers up to 95% of all eligible expenses (less taxes) incurred because of a natural disaster. The claimant is responsible for the other 5%. Homeowners may be eligible for up to $240,000 in compensation. They may also be eligible for up to $30,000 or 6 months of temporary relocation expenses. Small businesses, agricultural operations and nonprofit organizations may be eligible for up to $500,000.

Local Authorities and regional parks pay a deductible up to 0.1 per cent of their taxable assessment. Park authorities other than regional parks pay a deductible up to 0.1 per cent of the gross revenues they have collected during the year before the disaster occurred. After these deductibles are paid, PDAP pays 100 per cent of all remaining eligible expenses.

For more information, please read "Apply to PDAP."

The official legislation regarding PDAP (effective April 1, 2010) can also be read online: The Provincial Disaster Assistance Program Regulations, 2011.