Whereas local governments across British Columbia are increasingly being impacted by severe weather events that are creating complex emergency situations; And whereas local governments are legislated to plan for, respond to, and assist their communities in recovering from these emergencies: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the Province of British Columbia to create an annual funding model for local governments to more adequately prepare for, and respond to, local emergencies.
Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Government recognizes the importance of supporting communities in being prepared for emergencies and reducing disaster risk through mitigation investments. This was demonstrated through the record contribution of 180 million for a total of 369 million in Budget 2023 towards the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund CEPF for local priority projects that are designed to help mitigate and prepare for disasters and emergencies. Since 2017, more than 164 million has been provided through CEPF for almost 1,600 local projects across the province. Emergency Management and Climate Management EMCR has heard feedback from local governments and First Nations across BC on the administrative burdens and other challenges they face with funding program application and reporting processes. The ministry is currently reviewing the feedback on funding program challenges from the What We Heard reports from the BC Flood Strategy and the Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy CPAS, amongst others. This feedback will inform current and future funding program design to ensure communities have easier access to funding opportunities. Budget 2023 included new funding for EMCR to increase staffing dedicated to disaster mitigation programs. This added capacity is supporting funding program improvements including more support to communities to navigate funding options and strengthen applications, and updates to program requirements to streamline application processes. EMCR is also exploring ways to reduce the burden of application and reporting processes. The Province will continue to support community emergency management priorities as our emergency management framework is modernized.