Local governments and First Nations in British Columbia are getting more help to prepare for the risks of natural disasters related to climate change.
The Department of Emergency Management and Climate Preparedness has said it will add $180 million to support projects that help communities prepare for and mitigate the effects of natural disasters.
The government’s Community Emergency Preparedness Fund has previously supported projects such as Merritt’s Embankment, Victoria’s Public Cooling Infrastructure and Tofino’s Tsunami Evacuation Plan, the ministry said.
It will also provide a one-stop online platform for communities and First Nations to view data on floods, wildfires, weather and other hazards that were previously scattered across various government websites.
The program also includes support to prepare communities for the effects of extreme cold and heat.
Since 2017, local governments and indigenous peoples have received funding for more than 1,300 projects to prepare for natural disasters and climate-related emergencies, according to the government.
This report by the Canadian Press was first published on February 21, 2023.
