B.C. infrastructure spending aims to get ahead of storms

Communities across British Columbia will benefit from enhanced protection against the impacts of severe weather thanks to a combined investment of more than $26 million in resilient infrastructure from federal, provincial, and municipal governments. Announced by Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Minister Sean Fraser and Bowinn Ma, British Columbia Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, the projects receiving funding aim to better mitigate the impacts of climate-related disasters, playing a critical role in ensuring the safety of people, protecting local businesses, and supporting a strong economy.

In Penticton, the community’s existing embankment dam will undergo restorations to reduce the risk of failure caused by disasters and extreme weather events. The upgrades are expected to help mitigate downstream flood risks, as a dam failure could result in flooding in Penticton, impacting people and homes, local businesses, and critical infrastructure. The improvements will make the dam more structurally stable and secure, preventing overflow during heavy rainfall, and removing debris from the water surface to prevent blockages in water flow.

“These types of partnerships are essential for major infrastructure projects like the upgrades to the Ellis 4 dam to occur,” said the mayor of Penticton, Julius Bloomfield. “This work will allow us to better mitigate against potential flood risks and, ultimately, with all levels of government working together, we are building stronger, safer and more sustainable communities.”

Infrastructure improvements for disaster mitigation in other communities will include upgrades to a dike system, restoration of riverbank and riverbed areas, drilling a new water supply well, construction of a new water treatment plant, and replacement of culverts.

“Now more than ever, Canadians are seeing the devastating effects of climate-related events and extreme weather in our communities,” stated Fraser. “Investing in projects such as these is essential to safeguarding our communities and protecting them from the impacts of environmental changes. We remain committed to working with our partners to build a safer, more resilient future for all.”

The federal government is providing $10.4 million through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, while the government of British Columbia is contributing $8.6 million and municipal governments are adding another $6.9 million. Any additional costs will be the responsibility of the applicable municipality.

www.infrastructure.gc.ca