Monday, July 21, 2025
Gilford Island coastlines will be protected from the impacts of climate change and erosion after an investment of more than $3.2 million from the federal government.
Gwa’yas’dums Village (gwa-yas-dums) is a remote coastal island community that is at risk of coastal flooding and shoreline erosion due to sea-levels rising and storm surges. The current shoreline protection infrastructure was installed in the 1960’s and has passed its life expectancy. This project includes two key elements: armouring the shoreline with riprap, which is human-placed rock or other natural materials used to protect shoreline structures against erosion, as well as the construction of a bio-engineered slope. These assets will increase the community’s resilience by mitigating the impacts of coastal flooding to the community’s critical infrastructure and essential services.
“Investing in infrastructure to protect Canadians against current and future environmental disasters is our government’s promise in action. We are working together with partners to build resiliency in our communities to address the increasing impacts of climate change across the country,” said The Honourable Stephanie McLean, Secretary of State (Seniors) and Member of Parliament for Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke, on behalf of the Honourable Gregor Robertson Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada.
