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By Roly Russell, MLA for Boundary-Similkameen and Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: Creativity and cooperation are key to rebuilding

Apr 21, 2022 | 9:31 AM

THERE”S A PHRASE IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT that resonates with many rural residents: “When you’ve seen one rural community – well, you’ve seen one rural community.” Indeed, rural communities are each unique, and the post-disaster recovery needs of rural communities are also unique. So, as the provincial government supports communities that were devastated by the November floods last year, we look to local leaders to help identify how and where to best support. Those local leaders know their residents, their region, and their challenges best: we’re committed to ensuring they’re supported. Every community has different needs, which is why this work ought to be—and is—led by local government.

The impacts of the November floods are still painful for many, with hundreds of people still out of their homes: recovery takes time. Approaches to the unique needs of communities like Princeton and Merritt require agility and creativity on the part of both local leaders and provincial government. Given that, I’m pleased our government is committed to ensuring communities have access to the resources they need to rebuild and recover, and is working with local governments to find and implement the creative solutions they propose.

Last week, we announced over $53 million in new funding to support recovery work and help get people who have been displaced back into their communities. This funding will help rebuild critical infrastructure to a more resilient standard. We recognize the need to prepare for future climate events and are working in partnership with local government to do so.

Getting people back into their own communities near the people they know and love is a fundamental step in the healing and recovery process, but presents a challenge in rural communities. This funding will support ten communities to continue their recovery efforts and implement local solutions. Both Merritt and Princeton have dedicated a portion of their funding to innovative temporary housing options. This will allow more displaced people to return to their community while permanent homes are being rebuilt.

In Princeton, $12 million in funding will go towards temporary housing, as mentioned, as well as improvements to the drinking water system, increased staffing needs, and other work to bolster community resilience, in turn, reducing future disaster risk for the community.

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The City of Merritt is receiving $25 million to support their temporary housing needs in a creative way (including 3-D printing of homes), as well as flood mitigation work for their wastewater treatment plant, and support for planning, recovery and building of resilient infrastructure.

As we move through this process, our government is committed to being a responsive, agile partner. The November floods were a stark reminder of the climate crisis, and the impacts extreme weather events are having on British Columbians. I know that through our strong

partnerships with local and federal leaders, we will develop long-term solutions to better protect people and communities and continue to reduce the risk of future disasters.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.