Funding helps build resilient communities through stronger climate adaptation

Jan. 30, 2025

VICTORIA – To strengthen defences against the effects of climate change on communities, the Province is funding disaster-risk reduction and climate adaptation projects throughout British Columbia.

“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.”

Thirty-nine communities throughout B.C. will receive more than $19 million for 46 projects from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) through the Disaster Risk Reduction-Climate Adaptation (DRR-CA) stream. This funding will reduce the impact of future climate disasters by helping communities address current vulnerabilities and by supporting informed planning and decision-making.

“As climate change accelerates, the impacts of natural disasters on our communities are rapidly increasing,” said Trish Mandewo, president and councillor, 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. The variety of projects approved across the province gives a hint of the magnitude of work ahead of us to continue building resilient communities.”

Projects include:

• Safeguarding the wastewater treatment plant in Merritt and upgrading the Voght Street flood-mitigation pumping station. The pumping station will feature backflow prevention technology to help manage high river flows and protect the community from flooding.
• Improvements to the Toby Creek dike in Invermere to meet unexpected water levels due to climate change. This includes raising dike sections, creating a raised barrier and adding plants for flood protection.
• Replacing the Gold Creek Dam in Cranbrook to double the city’s water storage capacity, prevent sediment buildup and maintain water quality. A fish ladder will be added to restore fish passage.
• Restoring the Willow Creek wetlands and buried watercourses in Xwémalhkwu territory for flood-risk mitigation. The Nation will use natural solutions, such as creating rain gardens, to adapt to climate change and reduce risks. Measures will be taken to protect wildlife and improve local infrastructure, developed through community engagement.
• Purchasing two Tiger Dam trailers for the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) to better protect people and infrastructure against flooding. The Tiger Dam system, ready to be deployed on short notice, will improve the region’s self-sufficiency and ensure quicker, more effective emergency response.

The CEPF supports local governments and First Nations to better prepare for disasters and reduce risks from natural hazards in a changing climate in several categories. In addition to disaster-risk reduction and climate adaptation, other CEPF categories include:

• volunteer and composite fire departments equipment and training;
• emergency operations centre equipment and training;
• public notification and evacuation-route planning;
• Indigenous cultural safety and cultural-humility training; and
• emergency-support services equipment and training.

The Province has invested $369 million into the CEPF since it was established in 2017. Including this intake, approximately $300 million has been provided to local governments and First Nations through the CEPF for approximately 2,150 projects. This includes approximately $197 million under the DRR-CA stream.

The CEPF is administered by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities on behalf of the Province.

Quotes:

Wayne Price, mayor of Cranbrook –

“This project represents a significant milestone for Cranbrook as it secures our community’s water supply for generations. Ensuring a reliable and resilient water system will empower Cranbrook to continue its growth and development, while preparing for challenges posed by climate change. This is a proactive step to safeguard our future and maintain the essential resources our community relies on.”

Alison Trenholm, lands and governance director, Xwémalhkwu (Homalco Nation) –

“Recognizing the need to protect social, economic, environmental and cultural values, Xwémalhkwu has prioritized the assessment of the risk of flooding in the Willow Creek watershed within which our community sits. Members, staff and leadership are engaged and excited as we future-proof our community, while supporting salmon stewardship and cultural connections. This funding allows us to continue the work we have started and expand it to all our lands within the watershed.”

Sean Vaisler, emergency services manager, Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen –

“This funding reflects the strong collaboration between the RDOS, the Village of Keremeos, the Lower Similkameen Indian Band and the Town of Osoyoos. It will help purchase vital equipment to enhance flood preparedness and response across the region. Strengthening partnerships and investing in regional resilience are critical steps in addressing the impacts of climate change and protecting communities.”

Learn More:

For information about the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, visit: https://www.ubcm.ca/cepf

For information about disaster and climate-risk reduction, visit ClimateReadyBC: https://www.ClimateReadyBC.ca

To learn about the Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy, visit: http://www.gov.bc.ca/BC-Adapts

A backgrounder follows.Contact:Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
Media Relations
250 880-6430

BACKGROUNDER

What to know about Disaster Risk Reduction-Climate Adaptation stream funding recipients

The Community Emergency Preparedness Fund is administered through the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM), and funds projects that support local governments and First Nations to better prepare for disasters and reduce risks from hazards in a changing climate.

Communities throughout British Columbia will receive more than $19 million from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund as follows.

Funding is divided into three categories:

• Category 1 (C1): Foundational activities (risk mapping, risk assessments, planning)
• Category 2 (C2): Non-structural activities (land-use planning, community education, purchase of eligible equipment)
• Category 3 (C3): Small-scale structural activities

Canal Flats – C3: Phase 1 dike improvement project
Amount: $400,000

Clearwater – C2: Improvements for stormwater management
Amount: $138,000

Comox Valley Regional District – C2: Extreme-weather equipment
Regional partners: Comox, Courtenay, Cumberland, K’ómoks First Nation
Amount: $100,000

Coquitlam – C1: Disaster-risk reduction planning
Amount: $150,000

Cranbrook – C3: Gold Creek dam replacement
Amount: $5 million

Creston – C1: Hazard, risk and vulnerability assessment
Amount: $150,000

Delta – C1: Mason drainage pump station design
Amount: $150,000

Fraser-Fort George Regional District – C1: Regional heat and drought threat assessment/mapping; C2: Partner engagement to improve hazard-resilient development
Regional partners: Prince George, McBride, Mackenzie, Valemount, Lheidli-T’enneh First Nation, McLeod Lake Indian Band
Amount: $716,876

Hope – C1: Hazard identification and risk mapping
Amount: $150,000

Invermere – C3: Toby Dike upgrades
Amount: $810,000

Kamloops – C1: Watershed climate change adaptation planning
Amount: $150,000

Keremeos – C1: Hazard, risk and vulnerability analysis
Amount: $49,800

Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation – C1: Climate adaptation planning
Amount: $77,200

Kwikwetlem First Nation – C1: Flood-mitigation project design
Amount: $145,190

Lake Country – C1: Climate change hazard, risk and vulnerability assessment
Amount: $150,000

Lower Similkameen Indian Band – C1: Hazard risk and vulnerability planning
Amount: $49,800

Lumby – C1: Lumby industrial area dike planning
Amount: $150,000

Merritt – C2: Bulk bags for flood response; C3: Voght Street overland water pumping station
Amount: $4.8 million

Nelson – C1: Community preparation for extreme temperatures
Amount: $95,280.00

Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District – C2: Tiger Dam trailers for emergency flood response
Regional Partners: Osoyoos, Keremeos, Lower Similkameen Indian Band
Amount: $600,000

Oliver – C1: Hazard, risk and vulnerability assessment
Amount: $50,000

Osoyoos – C1: Hazard, risk and vulnerability assessment
Amount: $49,150

Osoyoos Indian Band – C1: Hazard, risk and vulnerability assessment
Amount: $50,000

Peace River Regional District – C1: Hazard assessment, mapping and risk management
Regional Partners: Blueberry River First Nations, Chetwynd, Dawson Creek, Doig River First Nation, Pouce Coupe, Tumbler Ridge, Hudson’s Hope, Saulteau First Nations, Taylor, Halfway River First Nation, West Moberly First Nations
Amount: $1.35 million

Pemberton – C1: Arn Canal pumping station design
Amount: $60,000

Richmond – C2: Flood protection and rain gauge monitoring stations
Amount: $150,000

Sema:th First Nation (Sumas) – C3: Floodwater conveyance project
Amount: $195,440

Skeetchestn Indian Band – C1: Flood-mitigation planning
Amount: $89,500

Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) – C1: Assessment for tree planting to reduce extreme-heat hazards
Amount: $148,722

SnPink’tn (Penticton Indian Band) – C1: Hazard, risk and vulnerability planning
Amount: $60,650

Sooke – C1: Climate adaptation and natural hazard-risk assessment
Amount: 150,000

Strathcona Regional District – C1: Port McNeill climate change infrastructure impact assessment; Gold River Road to Tsa’xana Road slope stability assessment; C2 Tsunami and flood-mitigation public information and education; C3: Cortes Kw’as Park and Road flood mitigation
Regional partners: Mount Waddington Regional District, Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation, Nuchatlaht First Nation, Port McNeill, Tahsis, Zeballos
Amount: $354,960

Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (Canoe Creek) – C1: Extreme-weather planning
Amount: $105,000

Tlowitsis Nation – C1: Risk mapping, assessment and planning; C2: sub-regional road map, public engagement and workshops
Amount: $296,700

Vancouver – C1: Streets network seismic and flooding risk assessment – Phase 1; C2: Extreme-weather mitigation equipment
Amount: $300,000

Vanderhoof – C3: Riverbank erosion mitigation
Amount: $59,410

West Kelowna – C1: Pike and Capri roads diking design
Amount: $150,000

Whispering Pines/Clinton Indian Band – C1: Heat-impact mitigation planning
Amount: $36,700

Xwémalhkwu (Homalco) – C1: Wetland restoration design; C2: Public education project; C3: Willow Creek watershed resilience, culvert replacement
Amount: $1.54 million

Contact:Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
Media Relations
250 880-6430

 

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