More than $14.88 million in federal and provincial funding has been announced to support 20 flood mitigation projects in British Columbia (B.C.).
The announcement was made by Jonathan Wilkinson, minister of fisheries, oceans and the Canadian coast guard. Wilkinson was joined by the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth.
“Weather-related natural disasters are getting more severe, more frequent, more damaging and more expensive,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, minister of fisheries, oceans and the Canadian coast guard. “The Government of Canada is determined to build the foundation for proactive flood prevention and mitigation in partnership with provinces and territories. The projects announced today will help reduce the impacts of flooding, building safer and more resilient communities across British Columbia.”
Additionally, some municipalities and non-government organizations partnered with B.C. to provide an additional $2,390,319 in support of these projects.
Of the 20 flood mitigation projects announced on August 8, 2019:
- Two will receive $1.04 million in funding for the completion of flood risk assessments.
- Nine will receive more than $6.34 million in funding to help communities develop flood maps.
- Four will receive more than $6.03 million to fund small-scale structural and non-structural mitigation projects.
The Government of Canada cost-shares up to 50 per cent of eligible expenses for projects submitted by provinces and 75 per cent of eligible expenses for projects submitted by territories under the National Disaster Mitigation Program (NDMP).
“People throughout B.C. continue to be affected by significant flooding events and we must do what we can to help prepare and plan ahead to mitigate risk,” said Mike Farnworth, minister of public safety and solicitor general. “It’s critical for public safety that we work in partnership with all levels of government to support those people who need it, and help impacted communities become as resilient as possible in the face of natural disasters.”
