BCREA’s Position on Flood Protection

Flooding poses catastrophic risks to BC’s economic vitality, safety, environment, property owners and communities. BCREA’s flood protection work focuses on floodplain maps, a strong role for the provincial government and education for REALTORS® and their clients.

BCREA Recommends the Provincial Government:

• Take the lead, working with local and federal governments, to ensure floodplain maps are updated and remain current.
• Ensure sufficient provincial government expertise and capacity to implement flood mitigation initiatives, including the National Disaster Mitigation Program.

Government action

•  In April 2017, the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC (APEGBC) released their floodplain mapping guidelines for BC. The guidelines are intended to assist professionals in developing flood maps in a consistent manner, incorporating best practices. More information.
• On May 12, 2016, the BC Government announced that it had awarded funding to the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC to aid the development of floodplain hazard mapping and modernize professional practice guidelines relating to flood assessments. News release.
• On May 12, 2016, the Public Safety Canada announced the second intake for the National Disaster Mitigation Program. The program will see $200 million distributed over five years, for cost-sharing for projects focused primarily on flood mitigation. Provinces and territories are eligible to apply for funding by June 30, 2016. More information.
• In July 2015, Premier Clark appointed the Honourable Naomi Yamamoto as Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness, within the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. Among Minister Yamamoto’s responsibilities is to "work with BC communities that could be impacted by floods to determine what measures could be taken to reduce these risks and report to Cabinet by March 31, 2016."
• On April 17, 2015, Public Safety Canada announced a call for proposals from provincial and territorial governments for the National Disaster Mitigation Program (news release). Flood mapping is one of four key areas for which funding is available. Proposals for 2015-2016 will be accepted until June 30, 2015. More information.
• In January 2015, Public Safety Canada issued a news release regarding the National Disaster Mitigation Program (NDMP) which was referenced in the 2014 federal budget (Economic Action Plan 2014). The NDMP will reduce flood-related costs for all levels of government and contribute to establishing conditions for the introduction of a residential flood insurance market in Canada. The program will see $200 million distributed over five years, for cost-sharing for projects focused primarily on flood mitigation, and will begin on April 1, 2015. From BCREA’s perspective, a highlight is that eligible projects could include “non-structural investments, such as flood-mapping and forecasting.”
• On May 2, 2014 the federal and provincial governments announced new funding for 26 flood mitigation projects in BC (floodplain mapping was not among the projects): Canada and British Columbia Deliver on Flood Mitigation.

Article provided by BCREA Government Relations-Flood protection.