From Public Safety Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/intergovernment-affairs/news/2022/06/minister-blair-announces-over-200-million-to-support-disaster-recovery-and-climate -resilience-in-british-columbia.html
The Government of Canada is working to strengthen and improve climate change adaptation and response measures across the country. The floods and wildfires in British Columbia last year demonstrated the devastating effects of increased extreme weather events due to climate change. It is more important than ever to take decisive action to keep our communities safe and build resilience for the future.
Today, following the fourth meeting of the British Columbia Committee and Federal Ministers on Disaster Response and Climate Resilience, the Honorable Bill Blair, President of the Queen’s Privy Council and Minister Emergency Preparedness, announced several federal investments to assist in response and recovery efforts:
- Public Safety Canada is making a $207 million advance payment to the Government of British Columbia under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (FAFA) to support recovery efforts after a 2021 wildfire in Colombia -British.
- Indigenous Services Canada provides financial support through the Structural Mitigation Program to cover flood risk assessment costs for the communities of Nooaitch and Shackan. These communities, along with Coldwater and Cook’s Ferry, will each receive funding through Indigenous Services Canada’s Lands and Economic Development Services Program to develop expertise to support work on land issues such as land identification, title searches, surveys and early engagement to resolve third party interests; this will expedite potential First Nations additions to reserves.
The Committee, co-chaired by Minister Blair and Minister Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General of British Columbia, discussed the significant progress 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 impacted by emergencies, helping communities prepare for the realities of increasing climate-related risks and disasters, and ultimately , to increase our resilience.
Quotation
“Communities across British Columbia were devastated by historic floods and fires last year. I have been to many of these areas over the past six months and have seen firsthand the impact of these extreme weather events on the people who live there. Today’s announcement of $207 million to support British Columbia is a key step in our work to help these communities recover, build lasting resilience, and keep Canadians safe.
— The Honorable Bill Blair, President of the Queen’s Privy Council and Minister of Emergency Preparedness
“Climate change is wreaking havoc on communities. As wildfires and floods become more common, the Government of Canada will continue to work with Indigenous leaders, provinces and territories to keep people safe. The best path is one that is led by First Nations leaders and organizations and includes emergency response measures shaped by traditional knowledge and culture. We will continue to work together as we all adapt and adjust to the unprecedented challenges resulting from climate change.
— The Honorable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services
“Last year British Columbia faced some of the most extreme emergencies in its history. Early payment of funds allocated to British Columbia through DFAA arrangements means we can build back better as quickly as possible. We are grateful for the support of the federal government and our Indigenous partners as we now focus on recovery and these funds are a welcome addition to the $120 million the province announced in Budget 2022 for First Nations, local governments and First Nations emergency. Services Society to prepare for the future – and the impacts of climate change – to keep British Columbians safe.
— The Honorable Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General of British Columbia
Fast facts
- The British Columbia and Federal Ministers’ Committee on Disaster Response and Climate Resilience, which includes representatives from the First Nations Leadership Council, was announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier John Horgan in November 2021, to ensure those affected by last year’s severe weather have the supports and resources they need, and to rebuild in a way that better protects British Columbians from future events. climatic. The final meeting of the Committee will take place in July 2022.
- The Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements program provides financial assistance directly to provincial and territorial governments when the costs of responding to and recovering from a natural disaster exceed what they could afford alone. Provincial and territorial governments design, develop and deliver disaster financial assistance, deciding the amounts and types of assistance that will be provided to those who have suffered losses. Since the launch of the AAF program in 1970, it has disbursed over $6.5 billion to provinces and territories, of which over 63% has been disbursed over the past 10 years.
- Since 2021, and in addition to funds provided through Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements, Indigenous Services Canada has provided over $17 million to support First Nations communities in British Columbia, including:
- over $9 million in funding to support the recovery of First Nations communities impacted by atmospheric flooding from the river in 2021, including:
- Shackan Indian Band
- Nooaitch Indian Band
- Coldwater Indian Band
- Cook’s Ferry Indian Band
- Lower Similkameen Indian Band
- over $8.4 million to the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society to support emergency planning, preparedness and response in First Nations communities in British Columbia.
- over $9 million in funding to support the recovery of First Nations communities impacted by atmospheric flooding from the river in 2021, including:
- Indigenous Services Canada’s Emergency Management Assistance Program reimburses First Nations, provinces, territories and third-party emergency management providers for 100% of eligible response and recovery costs, including emergency costs. ‘evacuation.
- As of December 31, 2021, Indigenous Services Canada has invested $102.6 million since 2016 to support 94 structural mitigation projects. These projects will benefit 101 communities serving approximately 100,000 people. Fifty-nine of these projects have been completed.
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Contact
For more information (media only), please contact:
Annie Cullinan
Press officer
Privy Council Office for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness
[email protected]
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
[email protected]
Alison Murphy
Press officer
Office of the Minister of Indigenous Services
[email protected]
Media Relations
B.C. Emergency Management
250-880-6430
Media Relations
Privy Council Office
613-957-5420
