Government has accepted and will be taking immediate action on all nine of the Auditor General’s recommendations coming out of today’s report, “Catastrophic Earthquake Preparedness”.

While complementary, this work will be in addition to and happen concurrently with the consultation and public education campaign already announced to support long-term planning. As well, in response to the recommendations, Emergency Management BC (EMBC) is already developing a long-term plan that sets out provincial goals regarding catastrophic earthquake preparedness, along with a phased approach towards achieving these goals.

Specifically, EMBC will be working with partner agencies on a coordinated and integrated approach, developing progressively more comprehensive plans, including exercises, ongoing public education activities and an annual report on British Columbia’s seismic preparedness.

In British Columbia, emergency management is a shared responsibility between all levels of government, as well as individuals and families, media and businesses. As government takes action to meet the Auditor General’s recommendations, the Province will continue to play a key role in growing preparedness - working with these partners, along with local authorities, Crown agencies, First Nations, volunteers and non-governmental organizations.

Quote:

Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton -

“A tough report offers a great opportunity - and this one in particular will help us continue to identify what work needs to be done to best prepare B.C. communities and families for a major earthquake.”

“We have accepted all nine of the Auditor General’s recommendations; however, ensuring British Columbia is prepared for an emergency cannot be achieved in isolation. That’s why, earlier this month, we announced a consultation that will invite all our partners to work together on seismic preparedness, as well as a public education campaign to help ensure more British Columbians are prepared if the ‘big one’ hits.”

“In British Columbia, being prepared for an emergency is a shared responsibility that begins at home with families and communities. Everyone has a role to play. The immediate actions we are taking at Emergency Management BC in response to the Auditor General’s report, along with the consultation and the public education campaign, will all form part of a long-term plan that supports practical and responsible actions for all partners involved in earthquake preparedness and response.”

Quick Facts:

• On March 11, the ministry announced a consultation that will engage all levels of government as well as invite input and engagement from additional stakeholders, including the media, business, local authorities, First Nations, adjoining provincial, federal and state jurisdictions, and non-governmental organizations.
• Stakeholder roundtable activities during this consultation will focus on those regions at highest risk from seismic events. The final report is expected to be submitted to the Ministry of Justice by the end of the year. The ministry will use this report to inform and guide plans for further preparedness activity.
• In the coming months, the Province will also be launching a public education campaign aimed at getting more British Columbians who live in areas vulnerable to earthquakes to take action and prepare for a seismic event.

Learn More:

Learn about putting together an emergency plan and preparing an emergency kit, visit: www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/prevention-preparation.html

To see the EMBC’s emergency plans, visit: http://www.embc.gov.bc.ca/em/hazard_plans/hazard_plans.html

Learn more about B.C.’s earthquake activity: www.earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca/index-eng.php?tpl_region=west

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 213-3602