B.C. funds 9 more community risk-reduction, climate-adaptation projects

B.C. has doled out another $2.3 million through its Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) for nine local governments and First Nations climate risk reduction and climate adaptation projects.

Vancouver is seeing the largest chunk of change, with $975,000 going to a Fraser River Floodplain flood and drainage options study, a public education tool: Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Story, and shoreline protection at Spanish Banks and Vanier Park.

In a government news release, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim welcomed the investment. “The Fraser River flood plain is home to residential areas, businesses, industrial areas, critical habitat and infrastructure that Vancouverites rely on. This funding will help protect both our city and region from the impacts of flooding in the coming years,” Sim said.

Other funding is going to the Squamish Nation’s disaster resilience project, flood mitigation for Cache Creek and Lumby, and climate change and hazard assessments for Nadleh Whut’en First Nation.

“Indigenous communities are on the front lines of the climate crisis,” said Wilson Williams (Sxwíxwtn), spokesperson for Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation). “We have seen first-hand the impact of extreme weather from wildfires, to flooding, to drought and we must be prepared to meet the challenges that our changing climate brings. This funding will allow our Nation to meet these challenges head on, as we will be able to invest in critical emergency response infrastructure, to better prepare to meet the needs of our communities as they face greater risk.”

Find the full list of projects here.