Minister Blair announces over $200 million to support disaster recovery and climate resilience in British Columbia
Ottawa – The Government of Canada is working to strengthen and enhance climate adaptation and response measures across the country. The floods and wildfires in British Columbia last year demonstrated the devastating impacts that increasing extreme weather events due to climate change have. It is more important than ever to take decisive action to keep our communities safe and build resiliency for the future.
Today, following the fourth meeting of the Committee of British Columbia and Federal Ministers on Disaster Response and Climate Resilience, the Honourable Bill Blair, President of the Queen’s Privy Council and Minister of Emergency Preparedness, announced several federal investments to help response and recovery efforts:
Public Safety Canada is delivering an advance payment of $207 million to the Government of British Columbia through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) to support 2021 wildfire recovery efforts in British Columbia.
Indigenous Services Canada is providing financial support through the Structural Mitigation program to cover the costs of assessing flood risks to the communities of Nooaitch and Shackan. These communities, as well as Coldwater and Cook’s Ferry, will each receive funding through Indigenous Services Canada’s Lands and Economic Development Services Program to acquire expertise to support work on land issues such as land identification, title searches, land surveys, and early engagement to resolve third party interests; this will expedite First Nations’ potential Additions to Reserves.
The Committee, co-chaired by Minister Blair and Minister Mike Farnworth, British Columbia’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, discussed the important progress being made by the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia, together with First Nations, and outlined how the Committee will continue to work together to protect British Columbians from future climate events.
The federal government is committed to supporting Canadians whose lives are affected by emergencies, helping communities prepare for the realities of increased climate-related risks and disasters, and, ultimately, increasing our resiliency.