Federal Minister James Moore says dredging sediment in the Fraser River needs to be a priority in order to mitigate flooding.

Moore says economic activity upstream causes sediment to build up in the Fraser, resulting in flooding in Richmond, Delta, Port Coquilam and Surrey as the riverbed becomes elevated.

He says the Federal Government did provide a one-time fund in a previous budget to dredge the river, but he didn't say whether the upcoming 2013 budget would set aside any money.

"There does for sure need to be a permanent policy approach to it.  Frankly, I don't know what the right answer is.  We're talking with the province of British Columbia about how best to do it." 

Moore does say local municipalities shouldn't have to shoulder the entire costs.