6.06°C Vancouver

Feb 21, 2023 9:02 PM - The Canadian Press

B.C. adds $180 million to help communities prepare for natural disasters

Share On

Local governments and First Nations in British Columbia are getting more support to prepare for the risk of natural disasters related to climate change.

The Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness says it will add $180 million to support projects that help communities

prepare for and mitigate the effects of natural disasters.

The ministry says the government's Community Emergency Preparedness Fund has previously supported projects that include a dike in Merritt, public cooling infrastructure in Victoria and tsunami evacuation planning in Tofino.

It says it will also now provide a one-stop online platform for communities and First Nations to review flood, wildfire, weather and other hazardous events data that had previously been spread over various government websites.

The program also includes supports for communities to prepare for the effects of extreme cold and heat.

The government says since 2017, local governments and First Nations have received funds for more than 1,300 projects to prepare for natural disasters and climate-related emergencies.

Latest news

danielle-smith-defends-proposal-to-redraw-alberta-electoral-boundaries
AlbertaNov 03, 2026

Danielle Smith Defends Proposal to Redraw Alberta Electoral Boundaries

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has strongly defended a proposal to redraw the province’s electoral boundaries, which the Opposition NDP has described as fraudulent. A report released Monday proposes splitting Lethbridge’s two existing ridings into four. Under the proposal, one riding would be entirely urban, while the other three would combine parts of the city with neighbouring rural communities. Smith said such hybrid ridings are already an accepted practice and are working well in other parts of the province. “I think Lethbridge will be very well served by having four representatives,
CanadaNov 03, 2026

Final Arguments Conclude in $22M Pearson Airport Gold Heist Trial

Final arguments have been completed in the trial of former Air Canada employee Parmpal Sidhu, who is accused of being involved in the largest gold heist in Canadian history at Toronto Pearson International Airport in 2023. The case is now in the hands of the judge, who is expected to deliver a verdict in late January 2027. Prosecutors argued in court that Sidhu played a key role in the alleged conspiracy by preparing fraudulent waybills to release more than $22 million worth of gold and currency. However, the defence lawyer rejected the allegations, arguing that Sidhu was framed by Simranpreet
CanadaNov 03, 2026

Canada’s Agriculture Minister Visits China to Strengthen Agricultural Trade Ties

Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Heath MacDonald, is currently visiting China, where he is meeting with Chinese government and industry officials to advance Canada’s agricultural trade interests. During the visit, MacDonald will attend the China International Import Expo, taking place in Shanghai from November 5 to 10. Notably, Canada has been named the Guest Country of Honour at this year’s event, providing an opportunity for Canadian businesses to expand their presence in the Chinese market and promote Canadian products. International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu and pr
trump-says-us-to-end-annual-military-aid-to-israel-after-2026
WorldNov 03, 2026

Trump Says US to End Annual Military Aid to Israel After 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he has reached an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end annual American military aid to Israel after this year, saying the country no longer needs the assistance. Trump said the United States currently provides Israel with $4 billion in military aid annually and that the two leaders had agreed several months ago to phase out the funding. He also accused some Democratic and left-wing leaders of using the issue of U.S. funding to criticize the Republican Party. However, Trump emphasized that the United States would still hel
CanadaNov 03, 2026

Crown Seeks 14-Year Prison Sentence for Winnipeg Truck Driver in $1M Cocaine Case

The Crown has requested a 14-year prison sentence for 36-year-old Winnipeg truck driver Harpreet Singh in connection with a cocaine seizure worth nearly $1 million at Ontario’s Ambassador Bridge in 2022. The sentencing request was made in a Windsor court. The incident dates back to August 1, 2022. At approximately 1:23 a.m., Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers stopped two truck drivers, Harpreet Singh and Narinder Singh, for inspection. The two drivers were transporting a shipment of hot tubs from Arizona to Hamilton under a job assigned by a Winnipeg-based transportation company.

Related News