TOFINO – BC NDP MLA Josie Osborne says people in Tofino will be safer during emergencies, with provincial funding that will better equip local governments and First Nations to reduce the risk of disasters.

“Mackenzie Creek is valued salmon-bearing creek that has suffered impacts from past development, and local organizations are working hard to rehabilitate the creek and its sensitive fish and wildlife habitat ” said Josie Osborne, MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim. “This funding will help Tofino in their efforts to restore Mackenzie Creek to a cleaner, healthier waterway.”

Sixty-five communities across B.C. will receive approximately $56 million for 78 projects from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) through the Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaptation stream. This funding will help communities tackle current vulnerabilities, minimize the risk of future disasters and support communities to make informed decisions in the future.

Tofino is receiving $150,000 in funding from the Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaptation stream for a Mackenzie Creek restoration project.

The CEPF helps communities to better prepare for and mitigate the impacts of climate-related emergencies by funding local projects and initiatives in several categories. These include disaster-risk reduction and climate adaptation, public notification and evacuation-route planning, and emergency operations centre equipment and training. The Province has invested $369 million into the CEPF since its establishment in 2017. Approximately $279 million has been provided to local governments and First Nations through the CEPF for approximately 2,100 projects. This includes approximately $176 million to support disaster-mitigation and climate-adaptation projects.