|
|
Article: Municipal liability for flood claims.(FEATURE on municipal law)
- Article from:
- LawNow
- Article date:
- August 1, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 Legal Resource Centre of Alberta Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Municipal corporations exist as legal entities, separate and apart from their elected and appointed officials, and in that capacity can sue and be sued. Municipalities are also creatures of provincial enabling legislation under which they are given the powers they require in order to provide a variety of public works and services. As part of their mandate as public authorities, municipalities are charged with the tasks of providing to, and maintaining for, their citizens' sewage, water, and drainage systems. As a result, municipalities face a variety of claims for damages caused by flooding from water main breaks, lateral obstructions, sewage backups, and heavy rainfalls ...