UBCM monitors and engages on a variety of emergency management issues through working groups and in consultation with provincial and federal governments and stakeholders.
Current Issues
The Emergency and Disaster Management Act (EDMA) was tabled on October 3, 2023. The Act has been designed to address many recent challenges, including the increasing frequency and severity of climate-related disasters and emergencies. It also acknowledges and incorporates several new commitments and principles, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights on Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and B.C.’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act; the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and its “all-of-society” approach that recognizes the role played by all stakeholders; and, a focus on all four phases of emergency management (mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery) as well as the role of climate change.
The new Act will have significant impacts on the UBCM membership, as it includes many new and enhanced local government responsibilities. Key changes include requirements to prepare risk assessments for all potential hazards; emergency management plans that address all four phases of emergency management (preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery); and business continuity plans that ensure the local government and essential services are able to be delivered during an emergency. Local governments will also need to consider the input from other local authorities when developing their plans and assessments. The Act confirms that managing hazards on Crown land will be a local government duty.
There will also be a requirement for local governments to consult and cooperate with neighbouring Indigenous governing bodies during all phases of emergency management. Examples include: when local governments are defining areas for cooperation and consultation; in developing risk assessments and emergency management plans; and, when involved in response and recovery phases.
Key provisions and policy shifts are outlined in the Province's technical paper.
EDMA received Royal Assent on November 8. The Province has elected to take a phased approach to implementation, with some provisions (e.g., new emergency management plan and risk assessment provisions) not coming into force until associated regulations are developed. Those provisions that came into effect immediately include:
- The increased length of a SOLE and state of provincial emergency;
- The ability to declare a recovery period;
- Response and recovery provisions;
- Post-emergency reporting requirements;
- Requirement to engage with Indigenous governing bodies regarding areas for consultation and cooperation;
- Authority to create or join a multijurisdictional emergency management organization (one of the new formal agreement options).
As part of the phased implementation of the new Act, the Province will be seeking to introduce a number of new regulations in the near future.
Consistent with endorsed resolutions, and requests from the the UBCM Select Committee on Local Government Finance and UBCM Executive, UBCM continues to seek a long-term local government funding and capacity-building framework to address new and enhanced responsibilities.
Correspondence
Minister Bowinn Ma to UBCM re Emergency Management Legislation (April 2023)
Minister Mike Farnworth to UBCM Membership re EPA Discussion Paper (Oct. 2019)Articles
Long-term funding and capacity building plan needed for local government (Dec. 2023)
Deadline extended for emergency management regulations input (Dec. 2023)
Feedback sought on emergency management regulations (Oct. 2023)
Input sought on new Disaster Financial Assistance regulation (Oct. 2023)
Province tables Emergency and Disaster Management Act (Oct. 2023)
New emergency management responsibilities for local governments (Sept. 2023)
New emergency management legislation coming October 3rd (Sept. 2023)
Webinars on new emergency management legislation (July 2023)
Emergency management legislation delayed to fall 2023 (June 2023)
Revised timeline for emergency management legislation (June 2022)
Emergency management legislation modernization (Apr. 2022)
Emergency Management Legislation Expected in Fall 2022 (Sept. 2021)
Province Releases EPA Follow-Up Report (Sept. 2020)
Emergency Program Act Review Update (July 2020)
Overview of Local Government EPA Feedback (Feb. 2020)
Emergency Program Act Input (Jan 2020)
Emergency Program Act Discussion Paper (Oct 2019)
UBCM, EMBC Partnering on EPA Modernization (Sept 2019)Documents
Technical Paper - B.C.'s Modernized Emergency Management Legislation (July 2023)
Provincial 'What We Heard' Report - Modernizing B.C.'s Emergency Management Legislation (Aug. 2020)
UBCM Overview of Local Government Feedback to the Provincial Discussion Paper (Feb. 2020)
Provincial Discussion Paper - Modernizing B.C.'s Emergency Management Legislation (Oct. 2019)In 2021, the Province began a process to create a B.C. flood strategy to improve flood resilience across B.C. The Province’s vision and options for improving flood resilience were presented as part of a 2022 intentions paper, From Flood Risk to Resilience in B.C. The paper proposes a strategic framework focusing on four program areas: understanding flood risks; strengthening flood risk governance; enhancing flood preparedness, response and recovery; and, investing in flood resilience.
While acknowledging that local governments are seeking additional provincial funding and support to address their emergency management responsibilities, the intentions paper does not identify any long-term funding mechanisms or opportunities. The paper also does not contemplate the UBCM membership’s recently endorsed resolution seeking for the Province be established as the diking authority in all local governments (2022-SR3), although it does propose increased support for dike maintenance. The UBCM membership has also endorsed numerous resolutions requesting support and/or funding for flood protection, prevention and mitigation measures.
The B.C. Flood Strategy is expected to be released in 2024.
Articles
Provincial flood strategy intentions paper (Nov. 2022)
New funding for flood mitigation (July 2022)Documents
Summary of First Nations and LG Engagements on the B.C. Flood Strategy Intentions Paper (Mar. 2023)
From Flood Risk to Resilience in B.C.: An Intentions Paper (Nov. 2022)
In 2022, the Province developed the BC Heat Alert and Response System (BC HARS), focusing on public health and safety during heat events. BC HARS categorizes heat events as heat warnings or extreme heat emergencies, with thresholds varying across health regions. It also includes a series of non-binding public health recommendations developed for specific stakeholders (e.g. provincial ministries, local authorities) on how to respond before, during and after a heat event. Should a heat warning or extreme heat emergency occur, the Province and local governments may consider these recommendations to inform appropriate action that is based on their individual heat plans and processes. This framework also includes use of the national Alert Ready system to issue public alerts for extreme heat emergencies.
Implementation of BC HARS followed the announcement of a new CEPF funding stream to support local government extreme heat risk mapping, assessment and planning. An Extreme Heat Preparedness Guide has also been developed by the Province, to help individuals prepare their homes and stay safe.
In 2023, following the development of the BC HARS system, UBCM was invited to participate on the BC Health Effects of Anomalous Temperatures (BC HEAT) Coordinating Committee. This Committee was originally established in January 2022 to support planning and response efforts related to public health impacts for significant heat events in British Columbia. The objective of the committee is to ensure public health coordination around extreme hot weather. As of October 2022, objectives and priorities of the committee have been refined to integrate lessons observed from the 2022 summer heat season and to provide further support of the provincial implementation of the BC Heat Alert and Response System (HARS). In addition to extreme heat, this Committee now addresses cold preparedness and extreme cold. Membership on this Committee includes BCCDC, Ministry of Health, Health Authorities, Health Emergency Management BC, BC Emergency Health Services, and the Office of the Provincial Health Officer.
Articles
Heat preparedness webinar (May 2023)
Province seeks feedback on heat alert system (Mar. 2023)
New funding for extreme temperature planning (Mar. 2023)
Heat mapping tool (Aug. 2022)
Stakeholders discuss heat preparedness (July 2022)
Heat preparedness webinar (July 2022)
New provincial heat preparedness plan (June 2022)
New funding for extreme heat planning (May 2022)Documents / Resources
Severe Winter Weather and Storm Preparedness Guide (Oct. 2023)
Extreme Heat Preparedness Guide (updated May 2023)
B.C. Provincial Heat Alert and Response System (May 2023)
Province of BC - Financial Assistance & Eligibility Assessment for Heat Emergency (June 2022)
Province of BC - BC Heat Response Supports (July 2022)[Information to come]
Fire Service Advisors
The Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC) has Fire Service Advisors (FSAs) in some key locations throughout the province to assist and advise over 400 fire departments in BC, on issues or concerns that may arise as part of day to day operations. Further details and contact information for the nearest FSA are available on the Office of the Fire Commissioner website.
Background
There are a number of challenges related to emergency communication in BC, including but not limited to:- A changing landscape that sees more users using cellular devices than landline telephones. As such, there is less revenue being generated for the current 911 service model;
- The introduction of Next Generation 911 technology, and costs associated with introducing these changes to the current system;
- Gaps in service provision that currently exist in BC; and,
- Providing a fully functioning service that can be resilient, especially during a catastrophic event or pandemic.
After UBCM's 2013 study and stakeholder engagement conducted by the Province in 2015, the provincial government re-started work on this file in 2018. With federal deadlines to implement Next Generation 911 (e.g. enabling picture and text messaging) looming, the Province created a steering committee to examine a funding model, governance structure and standards for emergency communication.
Status
In September 2019, the UBCM Executive endorsed a motion to approve, in principle, enabling provincial legislation to create a new call answer levy (CAL) for cellular devices. Despite the letter of support and the work of the steering committee, in the Province elected not to table associated legislation to create a new 911 framework for BC.Since that time, and as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, timelines for the implementation of Next Generation 911 have shifted, and telecommunications companies must now have infrastructure ready by March 1, 2022, with legacy networks to be decommissioned by March 4, 2025. In advance of these deadlines, the service provider (TELUS) is working with local governments to execute new service agreements that outline obligations for all parties.
Correspondence
Deputy Solicitor General to UBCM re: Status of 911 Legislation (Mar. 2020)
Minister Farnworth to UBCM re: CAL on cellular devices (Dec. 2019)
UBCM to Minister Mike Farnworth re: CAL on cellular devices (Oct 2019)
Province to UBCM re: 911 Emergency Communications Service Delivery (Oct 2018)Articles
911 Emergency Communications Update (July 2020)
UBCM Re-Affirms Support for 911 CAL (Nov 2019)