The announcement is aimed at helping Squamish meet their pressing infrastructure needs, protecting families and communities’ critical infrastructure, and supporting continued economic growth.

“A primary responsibility of government is to ensure the safety of our people,” said John Weston, MP for West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea to Sky Country. “I am pleased our Canadian Government has answered the call of Squamish residents to enhance flood protection, especially at a time when the community here is growing so dynamically.”

“This money is an important investment in the safety of the people and businesses of Squamish,” said Joan McIntyre, MLA West Vancouver-Sea to Sky. “The project components will protect more than 750 buildings in the area from the threat of flooding, including services such as roads, shops, rail yards and the hospital.”

“Thank you to the Federal and Provincial governments for this important community funding,” said Mayor Rob Kirkham. “Flood protection is critical for our community and these funds allow the District of Squamish to complete three flood protection projects that are high priorities for our community.”

Funding for 22 flood mitigation projects in 20 communities was announced on January 24, 2012 by the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, and the Honourable Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, on behalf of the Honourable Shirley Bond, B.C. Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General. This funding will help communities address existing flood concerns, and take proactive steps toward preventing flooding emergencies. The initiatives range from flood protection in the Comox Valley, to stormwater diversion in Summerland, to upgrading the Maple Pump Station in Surrey. Flood protection projects were selected based on local government or dike authority applications that offered cost-effective solutions for areas at risk.

Federal and provincial governments provide up to two-thirds of the funding for eligible project costs, with local governments and diking authorities covering the remainder of project funding. These investments are being delivered through two important programs.

In 2008, the federal government allocated $136 million to the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund, to support local government infrastructure projects in communities with a population of less than 100,000 people. Of this funding, $25 million was specifically allocated to accommodate disaster mitigation projects selected through the Provincial Flood Protection Program. Mitigation funds will assist communities across B.C. by providing funding for new dikes, erosion protection, pump stations, flood boxes and other structures to better protect communities from flooding.

The Provincial-Territorial Base Fund (PT Base Fund) is part of the Building Canada Plan and provides $175 million to each province and territory to address core infrastructure priorities such as water, waste water, green energy, regional and community airports, and safe roads. Of this funding, $23 million was identified for the Flood Protection Program.  

Since the beginning of this partnership, the federal, provincial and local governments have committed to 137 projects with a combined total value of nearly $125 million to protect communities against flood hazards throughout British Columbia.

For more information on these funding programs, visit www.bcbuildingcanadafundcommunities.ca and www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.

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Media Contacts:

Jaime Burke
Manager Consultations, Marketing & Communications British Columbia
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: (604) 666-1318

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
Telephone: (250) 356-6961

Infrastructure Canada
Telephone: (613) 948-1148 OR Toll-free 1-(877)-250-7154