Tuesday, July 15, 2025
More people in B.C. will be better protected from natural and climate-driven hazards as the Province invests more than $6 million for 11 community projects.
As the frequency of climate-driven events increases, the Province is taking steps to help communities reduce the impacts of hazards before they happen. This funding from the Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding (DRIF) program supports First Nations and local governments in implementing local projects to protect people and communities from natural and climate hazards.
“Communities in B.C. are experiencing more frequent and more extreme climate-related emergencies, so it’s more important than ever to take action to prepare for and reduce these risks,” said Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. “These projects are examples of strong provincial partnerships with First Nations and local governments to make people safer and communities stronger.”
The Village of Hazelton is receiving $3.6 million from the DRIF program, plus an additional $6.4 million from the Province to build a new 1.2-kilometre dike along the Skeena River. This $10-million project includes both new dike construction and the raising of an existing dike, reducing the risk of flooding by limiting high water from the Skeena River.
“The Village of Hazelton is grateful to the Province for supporting this important flood-mitigation project through the Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding program,” said Julie Maitland, mayor of Hazelton. “Strengthening our dike will help protect vital infrastructure, businesses and homes in our community, while increasing our resilience to the impacts of climate change along the Skeena River.”
Other key projects include:
- a flood-hazard-and-mitigation assessment by the Homalco First Nation that will support risk reduction and infrastructure-project planning and design;
- A design project for a new water intake dam for the Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation, to make the community more resilient against floods and drought; and
- A flood-risk management strategy by the Whispering Pines/Clinton Indian Band to help plan and design future structural and non-structural flood-mitigation projects.
The DRIF program provides support to First Nations and local governments for projects that enhance their ability to withstand and adapt to natural and climate-caused hazards, such as floods, drought, extreme temperatures, earthquakes and landslides.
This is the second funding announcement under the DRIF program. In May 2025, approximately $21 million was provided to support 46 projects throughout B.C.
Since 2017, Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness funding programs have provided more than $551 million for about 2,800 disaster-preparedness and mitigation projects.
