Premier Pledges Dollars for Flood Protection

Friday, September 28, 2007 11:59 AM

The Province will provide $100 million over 10 years to communities across B.C. for flood protection infrastructure and maintenance, Premier Gordon Campbell told delegates to the Union of BC Municipalities convention.

"This year, we narrowly averted a flood situation that could have been devastating for the province and was very tough on many communities," said Campbell. "You have important infrastructure and maintenance responsibilities, and we will work with you to bring these needs up to standard across British Columbia. Starting this year, and every year for the next 10 years, we will invest another $10 million annually in new flood protection."

Campbell said the Province will ask the federal government to match that funding, which would bring the total to $20 million annually.

"This year, we got lucky," said Campbell. "I'm pleased to say we acted quickly in the face of that flood threat, together with the federal government and local communities. We did some important repair and diking work to protect our communities from what could have been untold billions in damage. But we have to do more to adapt to the real and growing threat of flooding related to global warming. By establishing the fund now, we will be able to carry out some of the dredging and other work that can only be done in the winter months."

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