FireSmart and Wildfire Mitigation Funding

Whereas the Province of BC faces ongoing and increased risk of wildfire, with more aggressive fires, that grow larger and threaten more lives and property each year; And whereas the Province spends hundreds of millions of dollars on wildfire suppression 263 millionyear - 10-year average; And whereas the amount dedicated to local governments for wildfire prevention via the Community Resilience Investment Grant is exponentially smaller 13 million in 2022; And whereas the existing grant process is onerous and resource intensive, whereby local governments must apply every year and compete for limited dollars, and does not allow for long term planning: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM work with the Province to dedicate additional grant funds to wildfire prevention and further ease and simplify the program, changing the process from a competition-based application process to an allocation-based formula to reduce red tape, and allow for future planning and more effective prevention-based response.