Building community resilience to adapt to a changing climate is essential for protecting both housing values and the broader community. In British Columbia, the provincial government is taking proactive steps to mitigate the effects of climate change by investing in disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation projects. These efforts aim to enhance the ability of communities to withstand the growing risks posed by natural disasters.
Investing in Community Resilience
To enhance community resilience, BC has provided funding to 46 projects across 39 communities in B.C. through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) under the Disaster Risk Reduction-Climate Adaptation (DRR-CA) stream. With over $19 million allocated, these projects will address vulnerabilities, enhance planning, and improve infrastructure to withstand future climate disasters.
“B.C. is on the front lines of climate change, and investing in disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation has never been more critical,” said Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. “We are taking action to build stronger, safer communities that are better prepared to protect people for generations to come.”
Key Funded Projects
The funded projects reflect a broad spectrum of disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation efforts. Some of the critical initiatives include:
- Merritt: Safeguarding the wastewater treatment plant and upgrading the Voght Street flood-mitigation pumping station with backflow prevention technology.
- Invermere: Enhancing the Toby Creek dike by raising sections, creating a raised barrier, and incorporating vegetation for flood protection.
- Cranbrook: Replacing the Gold Creek Dam to increase water storage capacity and improve water quality while adding a fish ladder for ecological restoration.
- Xwémalhkwu (Homalco) Territory: Restoring wetlands and buried watercourses for flood mitigation using natural solutions like rain gardens and ecosystem protection.
- Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District: Purchasing Tiger Dam trailers to rapidly deploy flood protection barriers during emergencies.
These projects aim to protect communities from immediate climate threats and create long-term resilience through strategic planning and infrastructure improvements.
Support Through CEPF
The CEPF is a broad initiative aimed at strengthening emergency preparedness across various fronts. The program extends beyond disaster-risk reduction to include:
- Emergency Operations Centres Equipment and Training
- Emergency Support Services Equipment and Training
- Extreme Temperatures Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning
- Flood Risk Assessment, Flood Mapping, and Flood Mitigation Planning
- Indigenous Cultural Safety and Cultural Humility Training
- Public Notification and Evacuation Route Planning
- Structural Flood Mitigation
- Volunteer and Composite Fire Departments Equipment and Training
Since its inception in 2017, the Province has invested $369 million into CEPF, with approximately $300 million distributed to local governments and First Nations for over 2,150 projects. Of this, about $197 million has been dedicated to the DRR-CA stream alone.
The increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters demand forward-thinking solutions. By funding projects that address risks at the community level, B.C. is fostering resilience against extreme weather events, flooding, and other climate-driven hazards.
“As climate change accelerates, the impacts of natural disasters on our communities are rapidly increasing,” said Trish Mandewo, president and councillor of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM). “Programs like the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund help support local governments as they prepare the infrastructure needed to help B.C. residents withstand emergencies.”