Media Contacts

Emergency Management BC

Media Relations
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 952-4585

Backgrounders

Facts about the National Disaster Mitigation Program
  • Since inception in 2015, the National Disaster Mitigation Program (NDMP) has funded 82 flood risk reduction projects in B.C.
  • The Government of Canada cost shares up to 50% of eligible expenses for provincial projects. The federal government contributed $22 million and the British Columbia government contributed more than $16 million in funding for these projects to date. Provincial and territorial authorities may redistribute funding to eligible entities, such as municipal or other local governments.
  • According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, insured damage in 2016 topped $4.9 billion, passing the previous annual record of $3.2 billion set in 2013. The annual economic cost of disasters around the world has increased five-fold since the 1980s. Flooding damage has accounted for 80% of federal disaster assistance payments over the past 20 years.
  • A January 2020 program evaluation of the NDMP demonstrated that for every $1 invested in mitigation efforts, $7 to $10 can be saved in response and recovery costs.
  • Risk assessment, flood mapping and flood forecasting are critically important. These activities provide local governments and First Nations with the knowledge required to move forward with non-structural and small-scale structural mitigation measures.