Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have released the following statement regarding the BC Coroners Service’s Review of Heat-Related Deaths in B.C. in Summer 2021 report:

The Province is launching the BC Heat Alert and Response System (BC HARS) to help ensure people, First Nations communities and local governments have the tools they need to stay safe during heat events.

British Columbians are urged to take steps to prepare for spring floods to protect their families and property.

More than 50 First Nations and local governments are receiving their share of more than $1.9 million in provincial emergency preparedness funding to help improve emergency support services (ESS) in their communities.

To help reduce flood risk, the Province is providing the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) with $100,000 to create an updated flood risk and hazard assessment.

To help reduce flood risk, the Province is providing Princeton with $100,000 to create an updated flood-hazard-mitigation plan.

To help reduce flood risk, the Province is providing Merritt with $329,000 for a project to update flood-hazard mapping and develop new flood-mitigation plans.

Following the flooding in November 2021, the Province is making significant changes to ensure more people, communities and businesses can access and receive increased benefits from British Columbia’s Disaster Financial Assistance program.

To prepare for this year’s spring freshet and wildfire seasons, the Province is urging caution and encouraging people to prepare for these hazards.