WHEREAS current funding programs for flood mitigation that require 13 of project funding from local government as well as requiring that the local government assume ownership of the works for a period of 10 years, in some cases result in an unrealistic burden on affected taxpayers; AND WHEREAS the financial inability of the residents to meet the requirements of the funding program often precludes a planned proactive approach to known flood issues thereby minimizing environmental impacts associated with mitigative works and instead results in a reactive approach when an imminent threat occurs, resulting in greater costs and greater environmental damage, in addition to the traumatic and sometimes devastating impacts on affected residents: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM lobby the Province to develop programs that take a proactive approach to flood mitigation rather than continuing to try to download additional responsibilities on local governments that are ill-equipped and lacking in financial capacity to address these situations in a proactive manner that best respects the residents and the environment.
Ministry of Public Safety Solicitor General Since 2008, the federal and provincial governments have partnered to protect communities across British Columbia by providing funding for flood mitigation projects. Funding arrangements are administered under the Federal Building Canada Plan and the Provincial Flood Protection Program of Emergency Management BC and are cost shared between the federal, provincial and local government of the approved flood protection project. The Province recognizes that flood protection is a shared responsibility and its success is dependent upon support from all levels of government. Local governments demonstrate this commitment by providing a financial contribution toward flood protection works undertaken as part of the Flood Protection Program. This cost sharing maximizes the funds available to assist communities with flood protection initiatives and is in keeping with the Provinces commitment to provide support for local governments to plan for, prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters and emergencies within their jurisdictions. Local governments are also required to assume the ownership and maintenance of the permanent mitigation works undertaken. This ownership ensures that works are not abandoned, thus potentially creating a future hazard. The Province is committed to working with local governments to understanding issues regarding flood mitigation in their communities and recognizes that cooperation of all levels of government is necessary to provide public safety in communities.