Economic Relief for Commercial and Industrial Business Sectors Impacted by Wildfires within British Columbia

Whereas British Columbia has endured the most devastating wildfire season to date; And whereas impacts experienced across the province related to wildfires and associated highway closures are numerous and far reaching, particularly as it relates to economic development and the tourism sector, adding additional burden to ongoing challenges related to recruitment and retention, supply chains and inflation; And whereas local commercial and industrial businesses within the Alberni Valley and neighbouring coastal communities have been particularly hard hit as a result of the ongoing closures and unpredictability of Highway 4, the one major road serving as the primary entry and exit point to the Region: Therefore be it resolved that the UBCM urge the provincial and federal governments to administer immediate assistance and financial aid to the commercial and industrial business sectors within the province that have been impacted by the wildfires and associated highway closures; And be it further resolved that government programs, such as Disaster Financial Assistance be expanded to acknowledge both the direct and indirect impacts of natural disasters to ensure support of affected businesses during and following natural disasters.