Funding for emergencies is being allotted to municipalities across the region to help keep residents safe and informed if a disaster strikes.
According to the province, the Cowichan Valley Regional District will be receiving $160,000 for sub-applicants in Duncan, North Cowichan, and Ladysmith to develop their evacuation routes to address high-risk communities.
Ladysmith-Oceanside MLA Stephanie Higginson says funding for emergency planning is critical in rural communities to help build resiliency in the face of growing climate threats.
“In rural and coastal communities like ours, having an evacuation route in place offers a sense of relief and peace for residents,” she says. “Continued Community Emergency Preparedness Funding is so important to making our towns and communities more resilient, and I appreciate the CVRD for making this plan a priority for our community.”
Cowichan Valley MLA Debra Toporowski echoed Higginson’s comments and added each region has specific needs, and this funding will go a long way to addressing unique concerns.
“The Cowichan Valley is a beautiful place, but we have our own unique risks when it comes to extreme weather,” she says. “This funding will help ensure communities are prepared to evacuate safely if we need to do so.”
According to the province, since 2017 they’ve invested $369 million in the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund and have supported approximately 2,600 people.
