NANAIMO – New Democrat MLA for Nanaimo Sheila Malcolmson is welcoming $25,000 to assist with emergency planning, cross-training, and FireSmart activities for the City of Nanaimo.

“Climate change is causing more frequent and intense wildfires, so it’s more important than ever for our community to be prepared,” said MLA Malcolmson. “This funding will help people in Nanaimo advance emergency planning. Together we can work to reduce the risk of wildfires.”

Nanaimo is one of almost 90 local governments and First Nations throughout BC benefiting from almost $9 million in new provincial government grants to support wildfire risk reduction projects through the Community Resiliency Investment (CRI) program.

The CRI program helps reduce wildfire risks and impacts in BC communities by providing funding and support to complete FireSmart initiatives and fuel management activities. The program is administered by the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM).

Since launching the CRI program in September 2018, the BC New Democrat government has invested more than $18.6 million to support 209 projects helping local governments and First Nations mitigate wildfire threats around their communities.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/21721