BC NDP MLA Lajeunesse says Juan de Fuca region will be better prepared with funding for evacuation planning
METCHOSIN – BC NDP MLA Dana Lajeunesse says provincial funding for local evacuation planning projects means communities in the Juan de Fuca area will be better able to keep people safe and informed when emergencies occur.
“When emergencies arise, it’s crucial that the right information gets to people as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said Dana Lajeunesse, MLA for Juan de Fuca – Malahat. “With this support, our communities can take the necessary steps to ensure they are prepared and ready to manage emergencies in a timely manner.”
In the region, the following First Nations and local governments are receiving funding:
- Capital Regional District – $40,000 to review and update evacuation planning guides and develop evacuation maps for Salt Spring Island, Southern Gulf Islands, Pacheedaht First Nation and Juan de Fuca
- Metchosin – $40,000 to develop a public notification plan that integrates the Earthquake Early Warning system, multi-channel alerts, stakeholder co-ordination and exercise testing
Across B.C., 51 communities are receiving approximately $2 million for 42 projects. This funding will support communities to develop and update their plans through public notification and evacuation route planning projects. Projects include mapping routes, improving evacuation and public notification plans, and running training exercises to test these plans before an emergency occurs.
Since its launch in 2017, the Province has invested $369 million in the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF). Including this intake, the CEPF has supported approximately 2,600 projects.
Since 2017, the Province has provided more than $6 million to support 183 projects through the public notification and evacuation route planning stream.
Learn more: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025EMCR0030-000710