Vancouver, British Columbia
In 2023, British Columbia experienced its most destructive wildfire season on record, leading to widespread evacuations, loss of personal property, and damage to critical infrastructure. This follows severe wildfires experienced in 2022 that threatened communities throughout every region of the province. Additionally, in the spring of 2023, communities across British Columbia also experienced flooding and landslides.
Today, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, announced payments of over $148 million to the Province through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) program, to assist with response and recovery costs associated with the wildfires in 2022 and 2023, and the floods in 2023.
When a large-scale natural disaster happens, the Government of Canada provides financial assistance to provinces and territories through the DFAA program. Through this support the Government of Canada covers eligible disaster response and recovery expenses that have been submitted by the province or territory and that exceed what they could reasonably be expected to bear on their own.
Extreme weather events and natural disasters are a growing threat to the safety and economic stability of Canadian communities. The Government of Canada has and will continue to work closely with the Government of British Columbia to respond to and recover from disastrous events such as the recent wildfires and floods.
