LUMBY ­–­ New Democrat MLA Harwinder Sandhu says that the new funding will help local communities prepare for extreme heat events and keep people safe during future emergencies.

“Our communities need support to mitigate the consequences of climate change, and our government is delivering,” said Harwinder Sandhu, MLA for Vernon-Monashee. “I am thrilled that two projects in the riding are receiving funds to prepare our communities and protect people in the face of heat emergencies.”

Across B.C., 36 First Nations and local governments are receiving a share of almost $1.9 million in funding to help communities implement projects such as extreme heat risk mapping, risk assessments, extreme heat response plans, and climate adaptation planning.

Armstrong and Lumby will be receiving $49,500 in funding jointly for a regional project focusing on vulnerable population response planning. Coldstream is also receiving $29,610 for a heat risk mapping, assessment, and planning project.

The Community Emergency Preparedness Fund is an important part of the Province’s Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy, and complements the BC Heat Alert and Response System, launched earlier this year. The $189-million fund is administered through the Union of BC Municipalities and supports programs that strengthen the resilience of First Nations, and local governments in responding to and preparing for natural disasters and climate change.

Since 2017, First Nations and local governments have received more than $50.8 million through the CEPF for more than 1,000 projects that help communities mitigate and prepare for disasters and climate-related emergencies. 

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022EMBC0059-001369