Canada and British Columbia Partner to Deliver on Flood Mitigation Priorities in Richmond
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Infrastructure Canada, and Western Economic Diversification Canada Notice
25 January 2012
The City of Richmond has received $3,570,000 for upgrades to the No. 1 Road North Drainage Pump Station and the Williams Road Drainage Pump Station. Richmond is now better prepared for flood emergencies thanks to a joint investment by the Governments of Canada and British Columbia.
The announcement is aimed at helping Richmond meet their pressing infrastructure needs, protecting families and communities’ critical infrastructure, and supporting continued economic growth.
"Our Government is providing necessary support for the safety and security of Richmond," said Alice Wong, MP Richmond.
“These upgrades will ensure the safety of Richmond land, families and businesses,” said Rob Howard, MLA Richmond Centre. “They are also a tangible example of the benefits that come from strong relationships with other levels of government.”
Funding is geared toward 22 flood mitigation projects in 20 communities which will help communities address existing flood concerns, and take proactive steps toward preventing flooding emergencies. The initiatives range from pump station upgrades in Richmond, to Fraser River flood protection and 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.
“By taking a collective approach through all levels of government, we can develop and deliver an overall system of defense for regional flood protection and other potential effects of global warming,” says City of Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “Today’s announcement of grant funding for priority projects throughout B.C., including two innovative pump station upgrades in Richmond, can instill confidence that multi-level government partnerships deliver long-term economic and sustainability benefits for the region, province and country.”
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 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 Cowichan 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.
