Canada helps protect Richmond residents from disastrous impacts of flooding
RICHMOND, BC, April 24, 2019 /CNW/ - Now more than ever, communities need help adapting to the frequent and intensifying weather events caused by climate change. Reducing the impact of natural disasters such as flooding is critical to keeping Canadian families safe, protecting local businesses and supporting a strong economy and the middle class.
Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, announced funding for a flood protection project in Richmond.
The project involves upgrading approximately 4.3 kilometres of the city's dike network, including raising its height so it can withstand rising sea levels due to climate change. Five pump stations will also be upgraded to provide better drainage during flooding and divert water from the Fraser River to farms for irrigation in the dry season.
Once complete, the project will significantly reduce the risk of flooding in Richmond, protect critical infrastructure and promote economic growth for the region.
The Government of Canada is contributing over $13.7 million to this project through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund.
Quotes
"By investing in this important flood protection project for Richmond, we are helping ensure residents and businesses are protected from the heavy personal and economic costs of extreme weather events. Investing in this kind of infrastructure also creates good middle-class jobs and supports a strong economy, paving the way for a safe prosperous future for our kids and grandkids."
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
"Extreme weather is becoming more severe, more frequent, more damaging and more expensive because of climate change. By investing in the infrastructure that protects our neighbourhoods, businesses, and families, we are building communities that can withstand future natural disasters and thrive for generations to come."
The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety
"Now more than ever, Canadian communities need to take action and adapt to climate change. I am proud that our government is supporting this important work that will help improve the City of Richmond's existing infrastructure and protect the community and residents from flooding for decades to come."
Joe Peschisolido, Member of Parliament for Steveston?Richmond East
"As an island community, flood protection is a critical priority for the City of Richmond, We are well protected today, but further improvements are necessary to address emerging threats due to climate change. This investment from the Government of Canada will help ensure Richmond residents, businesses and infrastructure remain safe and secure."
His Worship Malcolm Brodie, Mayor of Richmond
Quick facts
- The Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) is a $2-billion, 10-year program to help communities build the infrastructure they need to better withstand natural hazards such as floods, wildfires, earthquakes and droughts.
- DMAF is part of the federal government's Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, which is providing more than $180 billion over 12 years for public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and rural and northern communities
- Investing in green infrastructure that helps communities cope with the intensifying effects of climate change is an integral part of Canada's transition to a more resilient, low-carbon economy, which is among the commitments made under the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.
- Budget 2019, Investing in the Middle Class, is the federal government's plan to create more well-paying jobs, put home ownership within reach for more Canadians, help working people get the training they need to succeed, support seniors and lay the foundation for national pharmacare.
- With many municipalities across Canada facing serious infrastructure deficits, Budget 2019 includes a one-time top-up of $2.2 billion to the federal Gas Tax Fund to help address short-term priorities in municipalities and First Nations communities.
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Backgrounder
Canada helps protect Richmond residents from flooding
Climate change is affecting Canadian communities from coast-to-coast-to-coast. Natural hazards and extreme weather ? like floods, wild fires and storms ? are increasing in frequency and intensity. For many communities, these hazards are significantly affecting critical infrastructure and can result in health and safety risks, interruptions in essential community services and increasingly high costs of recovery and replacement.
The Government of Canada's Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) is a 10-year, $2 billion national program designed to help communities better withstand current and future risks of natural hazards.
In the City of Richmond, British Columbia, the federal government is investing over $13.7 million from DMAF in a project to improve the city's flood protection infrastructure.
Richmond is an island city that sits approximately one meter above sea level and is vulnerable to a variety of natural hazards intensifying due to climate change, including storms, rising sea-levels and tsunamis.
This project builds on work already being done to improve the city's existing flood protection infrastructure, including upgrading its dike system and pumping stations. After its completion in 2027, the community will have greater protection from coastal storm flooding, spring thaws and rising sea levels.
As a result, the City of Richmond has indicated that over 300,000 of its residents will be better protected from extreme flooding events once this project is completed.
Furthermore, the City of Richmond estimates that these infrastructure improvements will reduce by 95% the number of families and businesses who go without essential services in the event of a disaster.
In addition, the project will significantly reduce impact and losses for the local economy, as well as saving on long-term recovery and replacement costs for the infrastructure.
Associated links
Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/dmaf-faac/index-eng.html
Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html
Federal infrastructure investments in British Columbia: https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/investments-2002-investissements/bc-eng.html
Investing in Canada plan project map: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html
Budget 2019, Investing in the Middle Class: https://www.budget.gc.ca/2019/home-accueil-en.html
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