B.C. receives $870 million from feds for disaster recovery

Jul 18, 2022 | 4:30 PM

VANCOUVER — Canada’s Emergency Preparedness Minister, Bill Blair, announced Monday (July 18) that the Province of B.C. is getting $870 million to support disaster recovery and climate resilience.

The announcement comes after B.C. was hit by devastating wildfires last summer and floods last November. Lytton was destroyed and hundreds of people in Merritt lost their homes.

The Disaster Financial Assistance program will provide the province with additional funds for extreme weather events.

“We know that the $870 million is the first payment but there’s more work to be done. But we also believe it’s important to get this money as quickly as possible so that the rebuild can begin in earnest,” says Blair.

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This funding is in addition to the $207 million payment announced for disaster recovery in June. Blair adds some of the affected communities need these funds to move forward.

“I’ve spoken with mayors and residents of impacted communities and in these conversations, many of them have made it clear that what they need right now is funding so they can return to their homes and get back to their lives.”

B.C. has asked the federal government for $5 billion towards disaster recovery, Blair says the advanced payment is important to accelerate building infrastructure.

by Connor Gunn

B.C. receives $870 million from feds for disaster recovery

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