‘Valuable insights’ in disaster recovery funding report: Blair

Federal Minister of Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair is welcoming the release of the final report reviewing the effectiveness and long-term viability of Canada’s Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) program.

The report, Building Forward Together: Toward a more resilient Canada, was created by an independent expert advisory panel, chaired by Rebecca Denlinger, former Deputy Minister for Emergency Management British Columbia.

“The report’s findings and recommendations provide valuable insights and information to adapt disaster recovery funding in Canada so we can continue to support those in need and make communities more resilient to disasters moving forward. Thank you to all of the panel members for their diligent work,” Blair said in a news release yesterday.

The DFAA program has contributed more than $7.9 billion to provinces and territories since its inception in 1970, 73 per cent of which was paid out in the last 10 years.

Denlinger noted in the report’s opening message that the panel reached two main conclusions: the DFAA program must be modernized and streamlined to support long-term resilience and risk reduction; and more integration and investment is needed in climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction across all federal programs.

The government plans to use the recommendations as part of a review of its approach to disaster financial assistance.