441-02585 (Environment)

WHEREAS:

• The federal government pledged $5B in the 2021 Fall Economic Statement to British Columbia through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangement;

• In 2024, only 38% of allocated DFAA funds have been issued to the Province;

• Over 1,600 wildfires burned over 860,000 hectares in the province of BC during the 2021 season, including the Lytton Creek Fire which devastated the Lytton First Nation and the Village of Lytton; and

• The November 2021 "atmospheric river" weather events causing extreme flooding and landslides across southern British Columbia have resulted in:

• - The deaths of four individuals;

• - The forced evacuation of tens of thousands of residents;

• - The deaths of over half a million farm animals;

• - The blockade of every major highway and rail line into the Lower Mainland;

• - Damage to pipelines and the implementation of corresponding gas rationing measures;

• - Severe impacts to port operations and constraints on imports and exports;

• - The identification of gaps in BC's Emergency Management, especially relating to Indigenous citizens; and

• - The destruction of critical infrastructure, of businesses, of agricultural operations, and of residences estimated to cost in the billions of dollars.

THEREFORE:

We, the undersigned citizens and permanent residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to immediately deliver the remaining DFAA funds to B.C. communities struggling to rebuild their lives in the wake of a province-wide disaster before families, farmers, businesses and First Nations have to contend with the next major flood, fire or landslide.