Following last year’s wildfires, BC looks to get help in recovery costs through new federal funding.
On Thursday, federal Minister of Emergency Preparedness Harjit S. Sajjan announced over $35 million in funding will be invested to help the province with response and recover costs from the 2024 wildfires.
Over 1,600 fires burned 1 million hectares of land, causing over 7,000 residents to evacuate their homes, destroying residences, provincial infrastructure, recreation sites, trails, and range fencing.
Sajjan says the last few years have seen the effects of climate change increase the frequency of disasters.
“This funding will help support British Columbia with their recovery and rebuilding efforts, as we work together to adapt to the impacts of climate change,” said Sajjan.
The province says the money comes from the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements program, which provides financial help to provincial and territorial governments following large-scale disasters.
The program covers expenses such as evacuation operations, restoring public works and infrastructure to pre-disaster condition, restoring uninsurable principal dwellings, small businesses, and farmsteads.
With the threat of natural disasters continuing to grow, the Government of Canada aims to continue working with BC to respond and recover from disastrous events in the future.
