NEW WESTMINSTER – New Democrat MLAs Aman Singh and Jennifer Whiteside say that people in Richmond will benefit from provincial funding to help reduce risks from future disaster related natural hazards and climate change.

“With the unpredictability of weather, having plans and infrastructure in place to keep people safe is essential,” says Aman Singh, MLA for Richmond-Queensborough. “Our government remains dedicated to building resilient communities, ensuring that both existing and new infrastructure are built to last.”

The City of New Westminster is receiving $800,000 in funding for Queensborough Dike Shoreline Protection Rehabilitation.

“People in New Westminster have adapted to great change in the wake of the pandemic and extreme weather challenges,” says Jennifer Whiteside, MLA for New Westminster. “Our infrastructure must do the same – which is why our government is planning and making essential upgrades to places like the Queensborough Dike shoreline.”

A total of $23.9 million from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) will support communities to better prepare for, mitigate and respond to climate-related emergencies such floods and extreme temperatures.

The Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaptation stream under the CEPF supports the Province’s Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy. The CEPF is administered through the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) and funds projects that strengthen the resilience of First Nations and local governments in responding to and preparing for natural disasters and climate change.