More than $26 million invested in disaster mitigation infrastructure improvements across British Columbia
Penticton, British Columbia, April 11, 2024 — People and communities across B.C. will benefit from enhanced protection against the impacts of climate change and severe weather after a combined investment of more than $26 million from the federal, provincial, and municipal governments.
Announced by Minister Sean Fraser and Minister Bowinn Ma, these projects will build resilience in communities to better mitigate the impacts of climate-related disasters, playing a critical role in ensuring the safety of people, protecting local businesses, and supporting a strong economy.
In Penticton, the existing embankment dam will undergo restorations to reduce the risk of failure caused by disasters and extreme weather events due to climate change. These upgrades are essential for mitigating downstream flood risks, as a dam failure could result in flooding in Penticton, impacting people and homes, local businesses, and critical infrastructure. The improvements will make the dam more structurally stable and secure, preventing overflow during heavy rainfall, and removing debris from the water surface to prevent blockages in water flow.
Infrastructure improvements for disaster mitigation in other communities will include upgrades to a dike system, restoration of riverbank and riverbed areas, drilling a new water supply well, construction of a new water treatment plant, and replacement of culverts.
By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country’s economy, increasing the resiliency of our communities, and improving the lives of Canadians.