B.C.’s earthquake preparedness progressing slowly but surely: expert
VANCOUVER — Perceived public apathy towards the threat of a major earthquake off Canada’s west coast hasn’t stopped governments across southwestern British Columbia from quietly earmarking millions of dollars for seismic upgrades and construction in anticipation of the “Big One.”
Much of the work is being done incrementally — retrofits dovetailing with routine maintenance, schools being renovated one by one and new construction projects being subject to updated quake-resistant requirements.
Engineer and seismic specialist John Sherstobitoff praised the province on its disaster preparedness, saying the government has learned from the responses of other jurisdictions to earthquakes.
“We’re doing pretty well,” said Sherstobitoff, who works for global engineering firm Ausenco. “We’re doing reasonably well for a province that hasn’t had a major, damaging earthquake in this generation.”