Strengthening community resilience in climate emergencies

Press Release

April 30, 2026

VICTORIA

Summary

• The Province is investing more than $18 million through the Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding program for 10 projects throughout B.C.
• Funding supports First Nations and local governments to reduce risks from floods, drought, extreme temperatures, earthquakes and landslides
• Since 2017, provincial emergency management funding programs have provided approximately $586 million for approximately 3,000 disaster-preparedness and mitigation projects

The Province is investing more than $18 million through the Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding (DRIF) program to fund 10 projects that will help First Nations and local governments reduce risks from natural and climate-driven hazards throughout B.C.

“People and communities in British Columbia are facing increasing risks from climate-driven hazards, making it critical to invest in preparedness and mitigation,” said Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. “Through this funding, we are working with First Nations and local governments to strengthen infrastructure and reduce disaster risks, helping build safer, more resilient communities.”

The DRIF program provides support to First Nations and local governments for projects that enhance their ability to withstand and adapt to natural and climate-caused hazards, such as floods, drought, extreme temperatures, earthquakes and landslides.

Building community resilience

Communities throughout B.C. face growing risks from climate-driven hazards. This intake of funding supports a range of local projects designed to reduce those risks and strengthen emergency preparedness.

The City of Terrace is receiving more than $4 million through the DRIF program to relocate the sewage treatment plant outfall pipe to a safer location in the Skeena River, and to add protective measures to reduce the risk of damage. This includes design work and all other activities required to complete the project, helping improve the long-term resilience of critical wastewater infrastructure.

“This funding for the sewage treatment plant outfall relocation will allow the City of Terrace to proactively replace this high-risk infrastructure before failure inevitably occurs,” said Sean Bujtas, mayor of Terrace. “Being able to invest in this upgrade early ensures that our community’s wastewater system is safe, reliable and climate resilient for future generations.”

Other key projects funded in 2026 include:

• Qualicum Beach: Building approximately 120 metres of riverbank erosion protection along the Little Qualicum River to protect the town’s water wellfield from ongoing erosion
• Cache Creek: Building a new sanitary lift station to bypass a high-risk sewer crossing at the Bonaparte River, protecting the village’s sanitary system from flood-related failure during high-flow events

This funding will help communities better withstand and reduce the impacts of disasters.

Past projects delivering lasting community benefits

Through prior funding streams, several communities have recently completed flood mitigation projects throughout B.C. The City of Penticton upgraded Penticton Creek to reduce downtown flood risk and restore fish passage, the Cowichan Tribes completed riverbank stabilization to protect homes in Clem Clem Village from erosion and the city of Delta raised the Boundary Bay dike to improve flood resilience for the community.

Expanding provincial investment in disaster risk reduction

This is the third round of funding under the DRIF program. In May 2025, approximately $21 million was provided to support 46 projects, and in July 2025, more than $6 million supported 11 projects throughout B.C.

This investment is part of B.C.’s commitment to protecting people and communities from the growing impacts of climate change by helping First Nations and local governments reduce disaster risks and build long-term resilience.

Quotes:

Teunis Westbroek, mayor, Qualicum Beach –

“This funding for the Little Qualicum River riverbank erosion protection project will allow the Town of Qualicum Beach to significantly protect its primary drinking water supply and nearby homes. By advancing the construction of in-stream erosion control works, we will reduce ongoing riverbank erosion and safeguard critical infrastructure. This investment strengthens our community’s resilience and helps ensure a reliable water supply while protecting properties and the natural environment for years to come.”

P.A. John Ranta, mayor, Cache Creek –

“This funding for a new sanitary lift station will allow the Village of Cache Creek to significantly enhance the resilience of our sanitary system against flood-related failures. By bypassing the high-risk sewer crossing at the Bonaparte River, we will protect critical infrastructure during high-flow events and safeguard the health and well-being of our residents for years to come. We are grateful for this investment in our community’s future.”

Quick Facts:

• The DRIF program complements other provincial disaster preparedness and mitigation programs, including:
  • the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF), which has provided almost $350 million to First Nations and local governments for more than 2,700 projects since 2017
  • the Community Resiliency Investment program, including FireSmart initiatives, which is continuing to fund wildfire risk-reduction projects throughout B.C.
  • the $100-million Agricultural Water Infrastructure program, which has supported almost 700 projects to build or improve water storage and supply systems for irrigation and livestock in water-scarce and drought-prone areas since 2023

Learn More:

• For more information about the DRIF program and how to apply, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content? id=76C1AA90A3844FDE9740B2E8B9355842
• For information about disaster and climate-risk reduction and available supports, visit: https://www.ClimateReadyBC.ca
• To learn more about previously funded projects, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025EMCR0019-000438 and https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025EMCR0029-000659

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
Media Relations
250-880-6430

BACKGROUNDER

Emergency support-services training, equipment recipients

The Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding program provides funding to First Nations and local governments for projects that will enhance their ability to withstand and adapt to natural hazards and climate-driven events.

Local governments and First Nations throughout British Columbia are receiving more than $18 million for 10 projects:

• City of Terrace – Sewage treatment plant outfall pipe relocation
  Amount: $4.075 million
• City of Vancouver – Musqueam Creek overflow flood conveyance and berm
  Amount: $3.1 million
• Halalt First Nation – Silaqwa’ulh (Chemainus) riverscape and flood resilience project
  Amount: $400,000
• qathet Regional District – Preliminary design for Thulin and Lund Lakes Dams renewal and removal project
  Amount: $243,500
• shishalh Nation – Sunshine coast water security project
  Amount: $5 million
• Town of Gibsons – School Road reservoir seismic upgrades
  Amount: $1.1 million
• Town of Qualicum Beach – Little Qualicum River: Phase two riverbank erosion protection
  Amount: $843,700
• Uchucklesaht Tribe Government – Cooling centre and emergency support upgrades
  Amount: $665,500
• Village of Cache Creek – Parke Road emergency lift station construction
  Amount: $2.7 million
• Village of Warfield – Trail creek flood mitigation plan
  Amount: $350,000

Contact:
Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
Media Relations
250-880-6430

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