Flood preparation (Vernon Matters file photo)

By Liam Verster

Climate Adaption Project Funding

Provincial funding supports climate adaption projects in the Okanagan, B.C.

Jan 30, 2025 | 10:58 AM

The Government of British Columbia has invested in dozens of climate adaption projects across the province, including a few in the Okanagan.

Through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund’s Disaster Risk Reduction-Climate Adaption funding stream the province will provide a total of $19 million to support 46 projects in 39 communities across B.C.

Of those projects, three were local:

• Lumby – $150,000 for the Lumby industrial area dike planning
• Lake Country – $150,000 for a climate change hazard, risk and vulnerability assessment
• West Kelowna – $150,000 for Pike and Capri roads diking design

“B.C. is on the front lines of climate change, and investing in disaster-risk reduction and climate adaptation has never been more critical,” Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, said.

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“We are taking action to build stronger, safer communities that are better prepared to protect people for generations to come.”

The communities receiving the largest contributions are:

Merritt – $4.8-million for flood response and for a Vought Street overland water pumping station

Xwémalhkwu (Homalco) – $1.54-million for wetland restoration design, a public engagement project, and Willow Creek watershed resilience and culvert replacement

Peace River Regional District – $1.35-million for hazard assessment, mapping and risk management

Fraser-Fort George Regional District – $716,876 for regional heat and drought threat assessment and mapping and for partner engagement to improve hazard-resilient development

Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District – $600,000 for Tiger Dam trailers to be used for emergency flood response

“As climate change accelerates, the impacts of natural disasters on our communities are rapidly increasing,” Trish Mandewo, president and councillor of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, said.

“Programs like the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund help support local governments as they prepare the infrastructure needed to help B.C. residents withstand emergencies. The variety of projects approved across the province gives a hint of the magnitude of work ahead of us to continue building resilient communities.”

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