The Saskatchewan government has made a big change in how it plans for floods. On Thursday, they announced that they will now use a "one-in-200-year" flood event as the new standard for planning. This is a step down from the previous "one-in-500-year" standard.

What does this mean? A one-in-200-year flood means there is a 0.5% chance that a flood like this could happen in any one year. It doesn’t mean it only happens every 200 years. It just shows how likely or rare such a flood is.

Why the Change Was Made

This change comes after the federal government made updates to Canada’s disaster financial assistance program back in April. Because of that, the provinces also needed to review how they plan for disasters like floods.

Since 2021, the Water Security Agency (WSA) and the federal government have put more than $2.7 million into flood mapping in Saskatchewan. Flood mapping means studying areas that might flood and marking them clearly on maps. This helps governments and people make safer decisions when building new homes, offices, or roads.

Now that the flood standard is changing, the WSA says they will work closely with local communities. They want to help towns and cities understand the new risk and plan new maps and safety steps.

Why Some Experts Are Worried

But not everyone agrees with this decision. Some experts are raising serious concerns.

John Pomeroy, who works at the Global Institute for Water Security, said this is not a good time to lower flood standards. He pointed out that extreme weather is becoming more common, and Saskatchewan has already seen many floods in recent years.

Saskatchewan has a lot of flat land, which makes it harder for flood water to drain away. Pomeroy says this makes the province more vulnerable. He is also worried about how this change will affect insurance. People living in areas that are more likely to flood may now find it harder or more expensive to get flood insurance.

What the Government Says

The Saskatchewan government says the changes will help improve property values and allow safer building in areas near rivers, creeks, and lakes. They believe that by guiding construction away from high-risk zones, they can still keep people safe.

The goal is to make sure new buildings are strong and protected from floods and that towns are ready if floods happen.

What It Means for the Future

Floods can cause a lot of damage — to homes, roads, farms, and even schools and hospitals. That’s why many people are asking if this change in planning is the right move.

While it may help some development projects move ahead faster, there’s a real concern that people living in low-lying areas may be at higher risk. Floods don’t follow rules or maps — they come with the weather, and climate change is making that harder to predict.

Saskatchewan's decision to lower its flood planning standard may save money now, but experts warn it could cost much more later if a major flood hits.