The Municipality of North Cowichan will receive $177,700 from the province to help deal with climate-change vulnerability and risk assessment for climate-change adaptation planning.
The Malahat First Nation will also receive $110,900 for sea-level rise and flood-inundation assessment and adaptation plans from the province’s Community Emergency Preparedness Fund that was created to support communities to better prepare for, mitigate and respond to climate-related emergencies such floods and extreme temperatures.
Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan, and former NDP Premier John Horgan said that people in the Cowichan Valley will benefit from the funding to help reduce risks from future disaster related natural hazards and climate change.
“When disasters hit, we need to be prepared to weather them,” said Routley.
“By working towards resiliency in our communities now, we will be able to better respond and keep people safe in times of need.”
A total of $23.9 million has been dedicated to the CEPF, which is administered through the Union of BC Municipalities and funds projects that strengthen the resilience of First Nations and local governments in responding to and preparing for natural disasters and climate change.
“Building up resilient infrastructure in our communities now will serve us well for years to come,” said Horgan, MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca.
“Whether it’s withstanding climate-related events just day to day wear, strong infrastructure keeps our community strong.”