The provincial government says residents of Victoria, Oak Bay and Saanich will be safer during emergencies with new funding that is expected to better equip local governments and First Nations to reduce the risk of disasters.
On Wednesday, Sept. 18, the Province announced 65 B.C. communities will receive about $56 million for 78 projects from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund through the Disaster Risk Reduction - Climate Adaptation stream. The funding is expected to help communities tackle current vulnerabilities and minimize the risk of future disasters.
“In a changing climate, communities, including the Capital Regional District, are concerned about water levels and conservation, especially during our drier, warmer months," said Grace Lore, MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill, in a news release. "This funding for water level signage will help keep the community aware of restrictions and prepared as we experience shifting water levels.”
The CRD will receive $200,000 in funding for a climate adaptation risk assessment and community drought level awareness signage; the District of Oak Bay will receive $150,000 for the McNeill Bay coastal erosion mitigation project; the District of Saanich will receive $396,865 for the green Infrastructure and climate resiliency demonstration project around Tillicum Elementary School; and Victoria will receive $817,500 for the Gorge coastal flood adaptation strategy and HVAC installation for community cooling centres.
"As we see ongoing impacts of climate change and extreme weather, it's important to educate people about the importance of climate resilient communities, and how we can proactively adapt," said Rob Fleming, MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake, in the release. "This funding will help create a demonstration project in Saanich to educate and inform people about climate-resilient infrastructure, and help Victoria create more community cooling centres to protect more people when they need it."
