Home Newsroom 2006 News releases 2006-03-24: Over $12 million to BC for disaster assistance

Minister Day delivers over $12 million to British Columbia for disaster assistance

Vancouver, March 24, 2006 -- The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, today presented a $12 million cheque to the Honourable John Les, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General of British Columbia. This money compensates for the consequences of two major floods the province experienced in past years. Minister Day delivered the money today while he was touring the security installations at the Port of Vancouver.

“These severe floods resulted in extensive damage to private property and public infrastructure causing hardship for those affected,” said Minister Day. “The Government of Canada will continue to work closely with the provinces to assist Canadians when natural disasters strike.”

“Here in BC, flooding, avalanches, and mudslides can threaten lives, homes and infrastructure, and we’ve learned from experience that we have to act quickly when emergencies occur,” Les said. “By compensating BC, Ottawa is making sure that we maintain a coordinated response strategy, and we will continue to work collaboratively with the federal government to keep our communities safe.”

In June 2001, intense wet weather systems caused flooding in the Peace River/Pink Mountain/Halfway River area. Many residences in the areas were impacted, and transportation infrastructure was damaged. In October 2003, the Vancouver Island /southwestern area of the province also experienced severe flooding as a result of over 200 mm of rainfall over 3 days. The flooding required the evacuation of people from the Squamish and Pemberton areas, and caused serious damage to highways and bridges.

On both occasions, federal assistance under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) was requested by the Government of British Columbia. The money presented today by Minister Day includes a final payment of $10,691,352 for severe flooding in the Peace River/Pink Mountain/Halfway River region and an advance payment of $1,351,046 for flooding in the Vancouver Island and southwestern area.

The DFAA is the primary mechanism through which provinces and territories may seek financial assistance from the Government of Canada for eligible costs associated with disaster response and recovery. The objective is to assist provincial and territorial governments in helping to cover the cost of returning public infrastructure and private properties to their pre-disaster condition.

For further information:

Media Relations
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
(613) 991-0657

Mélisa Leclerc
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Stockwell Day
Minister of Public Safety
(613) 991-2863