As flood waters continue to rise in southern Manitoba, the mayor of one small town says it's time for federal and provincial officials to implement a long-term solution.
Morris Mayor Dale Hoffman wants officials to build a floodway, like the one that protects Winnipeg, to divert water from smaller towns as snow and ice melt each spring.
"This is happening way too frequently now, something has to be done to change it," Hoffman told CTV's Canada AM on Wednesday.
The rising Red River is expected to crest at Morris, which is south of Winnipeg, on Saturday.
Officials are warning residents of Morris, which is currently protected by a dike, that the flood may be the second highest on record.
"We have learned how to fight the floods very well but what we really have to concentrate on is minimizing the number of floods," Hoffman said.
He said if officials built a parallel channel to the Red River it would "obviously reduce the number of floods."
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper flew by helicopter over Morris and walked along the dike protecting the town.
Harper said the federal government would help the province recover from damage left by the rising Red River.
"The federal government stands ready to assist in any way that is needed ... as the situation unfolds," Harper told reporters in Winnipeg. "Anything that's needed, the people of Canada will be there to help the people of Manitoba."
Ottawa will likely give financial support to help pay for disaster relief under its cost-shared program with provinces. But the prime minister did not give specific details.
Harper also stopped by Highway 75, which runs from the U.S. border to Winnipeg. The highway is closed because it is submerged under two metres of water.
On Monday, the province of Manitoba announced that it has financial assistance ready to help areas affected by flooding.
