NDP MLA Alexis says Abbotsford will benefit from additional flood recovery funding

ABBOTSFORD – New Democrat MLA Pam Alexis says Alexis will benefit from $6.5 million in new provincial funding to support recovery work. Abbotsford is one of ten communities in B.C. that was severely impacted by the November 2021 floods.

“In the aftermath of the floods, I’ve heard the clear call from residents and local government leaders that we need to build back better,” said Pam Alexis, MLA for Abbotsford-Mission “This new funding will help communities like Abbotsford in rebuilding critical infrastructure to a more resilient standard, better protecting people and communities in the Fraser Valley from future climate events.”

The local governments of Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Cowichan Valley Regional District, Fraser Valley Regional District, Hope, Kent, Merritt, Mission, Princeton, and Thompson-Nicola Regional District are all receiving direct grants from the $53.6 million in provincial funding to assist them in meeting the additional pressures of on-going recovery and infrastructure planning.

The grant will enable the local government in Abbotsford to:

  • Take care of initial flood recovery costs not covered by other assistance programs
  • Help with restoration and resiliency improvements to damaged parks and trails
  • Implement important planning, feasibility studies, and design work to support resilience infrastructure

This funding is in addition to the more than $2.1 billion Budget 2022 provides to help people recover from the floods and wildfires of last year and to better protect communities against future climate disasters. As well as the $228 million in federal-provincial funding provided to B.C. farmers who suffered extraordinary damages during the November floods.

For more information on Canadian Red Cross services and how to access them, call 1 800 863-6582, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (Pacific time), or visit: https://www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/current-emergency-responses/2021-british-columbia-floods-and-extreme-weather

 

British Columbians can access the Disaster Financial Assistance application online: http://www.gov.bc.ca/disasterfinancialassistance