Articles related to emergency management advocacy, legislation, policy, and relevant news.
The Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) has released a summary of input received to its 2023 discussion paper, BC’s Modernized Emergency Management Legislation: Regulations for Local Authorities.
The Province has developed new guidance for emergency management partners, including local governments, related to engagement responsibilities included in the Emergency and Disaster Management Act (EDMA). The guidance will be updated annually, and as new tools and regulations associated with the EDMA come into effect.
This document includes the following information:
Last week, the Province introduced From Flood Risk to Resilience: a BC Flood Strategy to 2035. The Flood Strategy outlines the Province’s direction for flood management, and includes 25 concepts to improve flood resilience. While the UBCM membership has consistently requested that the Province be established as the diking authority in all local governments, the Flood Strategy confirms that the Province will not assume this role.
The BC Health Effects of Anomalous Temperatures Coordinating Committee (BC Heat Committee) has released public health recommendations to reduce the impact of exposure to winter weather on people experiencing homelessness in British Columbia.
The provincial government has released its summary of the 2023 provincial wildfire season, confirming the record-setting level of destruction. This season saw more than 2.84 million hectares burned across BC, which is more than double the area of forest and land that was burned during any previous year on record.
Between April 1 and October 31, British Columbia experienced 2,245 wildfires:
The provincial government has announced $18 million in short-term funding for local governments and First Nations to address new consultation and collaboration responsibilities outlined in the new Emergency and Disaster Management Act.
The new Emergency and Disaster Management Act includes many new and enhanced responsibilities for local governments, with further details to be outlined in associated regulations.
Yesterday, the Province introduced new emergency management legislation: the Emergency and Disaster Management Act. Once brought into force, it will replace the current Emergency Program Act. UBCM has previously summarized some of the key changes that will impact local governments.
The provincial government is expected to table new emergency management legislation this fall. In anticipation of the pending legislation, the BC Association of Emergency Managers and BC Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness are hosting a series of webinars open to local government representatives.