As the full scope and scale of impacts from the severe wildfire in Fort McMurray becomes clearer and Alberta transitions from response to resilience efforts, the British Columbia government continues to extend its hand of help with resources to aid the neighbouring province.

To better prepare British Columbians in the event of an emergency and ensure the basic needs of citizens are met, the Province is funding a series of collaborative projects to increase British Columbia’s capacity and capabilities to mitigate and manage emergencies.

The Dry Creek Improvement Project in Port Alberni is complete, thanks to over $2.7 million in funding split equally between the Government of Canada’s Building Canada Fund – Communities Component, the Province, and the City of Port Alberni.

The Province and Emergency Management BC are planning an earthquake and tsunami response exercise for June 7-10, 2016, in Port Alberni called Exercise Coastal Response.

By early fall, a dedicated left turn traffic signal will be installed at the intersection of Vance and Cowart Roads and Highway 16 in Prince George, as well as the intersection of Ferry Avenue and Highway 16, west of Highway 97, improving safety for motorists at these locations.

Once a year, British Columbia recognizes Public Safety Lifeline Volunteer Award winners and their significant contributions to emergency and disaster response in this province.

Two new made-in-British Columbia high-tech wildlife detection systems to help motorists avoid wildlife are now operational on Highway 3 near Elko and Sparwood.

As part of the public safety funding announced in the 2016 provincial budget, the Province is committing $4 million in funding for shoreline flood mitigation projects in Abbotsford that, if left unrepaired, could undermine the dike protecting the Matsqui Prairie and important regional infrastructure.