Natural Resources Canada
2010/04
January 25, 2010
KELOWNA, B.C. — The Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today announced a Regional Adaptation Collaborative led by the Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia and the Fraser Basin Council.
A series of projects will be undertaken over the next three years to help British Columbians address climate change issues by advancing decision making in the areas of water allocation and use, forest and watershed management, flood protection and floodplain management, and community planning.
The new initiative, entitled Preparing for Climate Change: Securing B.C.’s Water Future, is coordinated by the non-profit Fraser Basin Council and the B.C. Ministry of Environment. Natural Resources Canada is providing $3.3 million of the $6.9 million, which includes contributions from 18 partners in provincial ministries, local governments, First Nations and non-governmental organizations, the private sector and academia.
“We must work together to increase our ability to address climate change impacts and to help our communities adapt,” said Minister Day. “We need to take measures that will generate the knowledge, information, tools and partnerships to ensure that we are well-positioned to make appropriate decisions as our climate changes.”
“The Fraser Basin Council is ready to work with communities and resource managers as they explore the best ways possible to manage water resources in a changing climate,” said David Marshall, Executive Director of the Fraser Basin Council. “We are all now faced with a dual challenge: first, to tackle climate change by moving to low-carbon economy and second, to minimize the adverse impacts that climate change is already having on watersheds. A collaborative approach is key to success, along with a frank acknowledgement that water is precious and can’t be taken for granted.”
“This partnership will enhance the knowledge and tools for decision-makers across B.C. to prepare for climate change,” said the Honourable John Yap, B.C. Minister of State for Climate Action. “The province will use the new Regional Adaption Collaborative to implement our Living Water Smart commitments and manage water resources and riparian areas with climate change in mind.”
Activities will include risk assessments, economic analysis, knowledge transfer, consultation and the integration of adaptation measures into planning and decision-making processes.
Funded as part of an $85.9-million investment by the Government of Canada, the initiative builds on the scientific findings of the B.C. chapter of the report From Impacts to Adaptation: Canada in a Changing Climate 2007. This extensive national assessment identified current and expected impacts of climate change across Canada and highlighted the need for a regional approach to adaptation.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
A $6.9-million collaborative adaptation program will help B.C. communities deal with the impacts of climate change on water use, forest and watershed management, flood protection and community planning. Led by the Governments of Canada and British Columbia and the Fraser Basin Council, the three-year program is part of the federal government’s $85.9-million investment to help Canadians adapt to climate change.
Media may contact:
Margaux Stastny
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-996-2007
Denise Palmer
Communications Manager
Fraser Basin Council
Vancouver
604-488-5352
Suntanu Dalal
Public Affairs Bureau
B.C. Ministry of the Environment
250-387-9745
Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-992-4447
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