Newsletter from MLA Steve Morissette
By MLA Steve Morissette
Wildfires are occurring across the province due to increased lightning and hot, dry weather. Whether you’re travelling or staying close to home, stay prepared by checking road conditions, having an emergency kit ready, and checking in on friends and family who may be affected. Be sure to check out the following.
- Drive BC: https://www.drivebc.ca/
- Emergency Info BC: https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/
- BC Wildfire Service: https://wildfiresituation.nrs.gov.bc.ca/
- BC Wildfire Service YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@BCWildfireService
- Download the latest version of the BC Wildfire Service mobile app on the App Store or Google Play.
The Province is providing the Lower Columbia Community Development Team Society with $300,300 to create a new critical-metals hub to help businesses grow and create jobs in the Kootenays.
Strengthening the Kootenays’ critical-metal sector
With provincial support, a new critical-metals hub is being created in the Kootenays to put local businesses in a better position to grow and create jobs by seizing new opportunities created through new, nearby major mining projects. Critical metals are essential to the clean economy and B.C. is well positioned to be a leader in this growing sector. This investment will help create good-paying jobs, support innovation and strengthen local communities for years to come.
Strengthening emergency operations centres in B.C.
With extreme weather and climate-related events becoming more common, our government is funding 110 projects throughout B.C. to help local governments and First Nations better respond to emergencies and protect people. In Kootenay – Monashee this includes;
- City of Castlegar – EOC workstations, IT equipment and training to improve emergency co-ordination Approved amount: $29,972
- Central Kootenay Regional District – Communications equipment, furniture and training to support EOC operations Approved amount: $29,977
- North Okanagan Regional District – Training and workstations to build EOC staff capability and infrastructure Approved amount: $30,000
Emergency operations centres are the backbone of a co-ordinated response when an emergency happens. This funding will help local governments and First Nations with the equipment, training and exercises they need to run their emergency operations centres effectively, so communities throughout B.C. get the support they need as quickly as possible.
Providing funding through BC Parks Licence Plate Program
This year, $350,000 from the Community Park Enhancement Fund will help support projects focused on conservation and recreation in parks and protected areas throughout B.C., which is made possible through revenue generated by BC Parks licence plate sales. The Community Park Enhancement Fund empowers local organizations, volunteers and Indigenous partners to identify and lead small projects that make a difference for the people who frequently use and help steward parks. For nearly a decade, the BC Parks Licence Plate Program has helped fund meaningful improvements in parks across the province.
Supporting road safety, streamlining licensing for new drivers
People learning to drive in British Columbia will get the experience they need to develop good driving habits as changes to the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) prioritize safety and ongoing driver monitoring. Evidence shows that driving experience gained over time predicts long-term safety as reliably as a single road test. The changes we’re making to the GLP maintain our high road safety standards, with a focus on helping new drivers get more time behind the wheel to develop the habits they need to drive responsibly.
Dates: July 15 to August 15
Who: The Lower Columbia Affordable Housing Society (LCAHS)
What: Short survey to better understand local rental housing needs, affordability challenges, preferred housing types, and future housing priorities.
Where: City of Trail, City of Rossland, Village of Warfield, Village of Montrose, Village of Fruitvale, RDKB Areas A and B, and the surrounding communities.
Why: Help inform future attainable rental housing initiatives and planning.
How: Online, in-person paper pick up at Trail and Rossland City Halls
Public input will help inform: While LCAHS itself is focused on attainable rental housing, this survey is intended to capture a broader range of housing needs and preferences to help inform community housing planning across the Lower Columbia. The information collected will support future housing initiatives, funding applications, and development planning.
Dates: June 22 to August 22
Who: The Ministry of Forests
What: A collaborative forest landscape plan between First Nations, the Province, industry, and communities to determine a path forward for forest stewardship
Where: Kootenay Lake Timber Supply Area (TSA)
Why: To raise awareness of the project, understand forest values of respondents, and determine future involvement
How: Online, in-person
Public input will help inform:
- How people use the forests in the plan area
- How the full range of interconnected forest values should inform planning
- Which issues or concerns should guide future decisions
Making Grand Forks safer, more resilient through flood-mitigation projects
People in Grand Forks are benefiting from the completion of the Grand Forks Flood Mitigation Program, through which several projects help prevent flooding in the area, better protecting people, businesses and homes in the community. People in Grand Forks and their neighbourhoods are much safer with the completion of these projects, which are the result of good collaboration between the city, our government, and the federal government. The success of the Grand Forks Flood Mitigation Program shows what’s possible when all levels of government work together to reduce risk to people and communities that are experiencing the consequences of a changing climate.
Stay informed and safe this season. Be ready. It’s always the right time to stay up to date with the latest emergency information in BC:
- EmergencyInfoBC.cafor emergency updates, active evacuation orders and alerts
- BCWildfire.caor the BC Wildfire app for wildfire information and fire ban information
- DriveBC.cafor road conditions and closures
- PreparedBC.cato help you prepare for emergencies
- ESS.gov.bc.cafor evacuation and emergency support services
- Weather.gc.cafor weather alerts
Follow local governments and health authority for more resources and updates.
