Image Credit: BC Legislature

By The Canadian Press

Wildfire Response

Opposition Liberals grill New Democrat responses to wildfire recovery, heat wave

Oct 7, 2021 | 1:18 PM

VICTORIA — British Columbia’s Opposition Liberals say the lives and livelihoods of communities, citizens and businesses devastated by summer wildfires are being kept needlessly on hold.

Fraser Nicola Liberal Jackie Tegart says Premier John Horgan’s pledge to rebuild the community of Lytton following last June’s wildfire that destroyed the community has failed to materialize.

“I can tell you that if there are people on the ground doing the work, the residents aren’t aware and that is a tragedy,” Tegart said during question period. “If you’re doing your level best, my God, we’re in trouble.”

“The challenges faced in this area, [Tegart] knows full well,” Horgan said. “We are at her side, at the side of the members in that community to make sure we can get back as fast as possible. But it does take time to make sure the cleanup is done appropriately, to support the municipal leaders who are struggling as well.”

Tegart, whose riding includes Lytton, says it has been 99 days since the fire and most people in the village are still living in hotels and have no information about rebuilding or a possible return date.

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Horgan told the legislature during question period that efforts are underway to bring together private, municipal, non-government and Indigenous groups to plan Lytton’s future.

The Liberals also criticized the government’s plans to assist residents in the Monte Lake, Kelowna and Vernon areas who also lost homes in wildfires as well as ranchers who are waiting for the government to replace destroyed cattle fences on Crown land.

“What does the premier have to say to… the many impacted residents of Monte Lake and Paxton Valley who need this premier to get on with providing the supports that he has promised them so that they can get on with rebuilding their homes and rebuilding their lives?” asked Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone.

Jennifer Rice, the government’s parliamentary secretary for emergency preparedness, said last week that B.C. lost 343 homes this summer to wildfires.