NDP MLA Davidson says coastal communities will be better prepared with funding for evacuation planning

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BELLA COOLA – BC NDP MLA Tamara Davidson says provincial funding for local evacuation planning projects means coastal communities will be better able to keep people safe and informed when emergencies occur.

“Having an emergency notification and evacuation plan is important for every community, but especially for rural and remote areas,” said Tamara Davidson, MLA for North Coast-Haida Gwaii. “We always hope these plans will never be needed, but as climate-driven emergencies become common, our government is helping make sure communities are prepared.”

On the North and Central Coast, the following communities are receiving funding:

  • Central Coast Regional District – Develop a comprehensive emergency and disaster communications plan, conduct a gap analysis, identify multi-channel notification tools and provide staff training to enhance public alerting and responder co-ordination. – $40,000
  • Gitxaala Nation – Ladm gyina sguuyu Gyinasguu sumsxsit “Leave Something Good Behind”: Update evacuation route and public notification plans using technologies and cultural knowledge, including identifying a new route to higher ground and planning for air and water evacuations. – $40,000
  • Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation – Develop new evacuation route and public notification plans. – $40,000

Across B.C., 51 communities are receiving approximately $2 million for 42 projects. This funding will support communities to develop and update their plans through public notification and evacuation route planning projects. Projects include mapping routes, improving evacuation and public notification plans, and running training exercises to test these plans before an emergency occurs.

Since its launch in 2017, the Province has invested $369 million in the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF). Including this intake, the CEPF has supported approximately 2,600 projects.

Since 2017, the Province has provided more than $6 million to support 183 projects through the public notification and evacuation route planning stream.

Learn More: news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025EMCR0030-000710