In partnership with the province of British Columbia and Indigenous communities, the Government of Canada is making historic investments to keep people safe when disaster hits, and ensure communities are built to cope with extreme weather.

“Climate change is threatening communities across Canada, and we need to keep our partnerships strong as we prepare for and work to prevent natural disasters and extreme weather events. The progress this Committee has made and the collaboration between federal and provincial Ministers and Indigenous leaders has resulted in a coordinated recovery and rebuilding effort in communities across British Columbia. We will continue to build on the important work of the past sevens months as we strengthen our shared emergency response systems.”
— The Honourable Bill Blair, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness

“British Columbia was hit hard last year by multiple devastating disasters, affecting thousands of people across our province. It’s clear we need to continue working together to increase resilience in the face of climate change, and I’m grateful for this collaboration with federal and Indigenous leaders. We’re thankful for the federal government’s support, which will allow us to rebuild damaged infrastructure, and continue supporting people and communities as they recover from wildfires, flooding and landslides.”
— The Honourable Mike Farnworth, British Columbia’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General

• The Committee of British Columbia and Federal Ministers on Disaster Response and Climate Resilience, which includes representatives from the First Nations Leadership Council, was announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier John Horgan in November 2021 to ensure those impacted by last year’s severe weather have the supports and resources they need, and to build back in a way that better protects British Columbians from future climate events. The fifth and final meeting of the Committee took place on July 18, 2022. 

• The Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) program provides financial assistance directly to provincial and territorial governments when response and recovery costs from natural disasters exceed what they could be expected to bear on their own. Provincial and territorial governments design, develop, and deliver disaster financial assistance, deciding the amounts and types of assistance that will be provided to those that have experienced losses. Since the launch of the DFAA program in 1970, it has contributed over $6.5 billion to provinces and territories, over 63 per cent of which was paid out in the last 10 years.
   

Associated links

• Minister Blair announces over $200 million to support disaster recovery and climate resilience in British Columbia
• Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements
• The Government of Canada is Committed to Supporting Canadians Through the 2022 Wildfire Season
• Federal and British Columbia ministers and First Nations hold meeting on disaster recovery and climate resilience
• Prime Minister and Premier of British Columbia announce new committee to address extreme weather and climate resilience in the province

For more information (media only), please contact:

Annie Cullinan
Press Secretary
Office of the Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness
Annie.Cullinan@qpc-cpr.gc.ca

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
psmediarelations@ps-sp.gc.ca

Media Relations
Emergency Management BC
250-880-6430

Media Relations
Privy Council Office
mediacentre@pco-bcp.gc.ca