BC NDP MLA Dana Lajeunesse says funding will strengthen emergency support services in the Juan de Fuca and Malahat regions

PACHEEDAHT – BC NDP MLA Dana Lajeunesse says communities in the Juan de Fuca and Malahat regions are receiving funding that will help to better support people who need to evacuate from their homes during emergencies.

“Emergency support services protect the Juan de Fuca area when we need it most,” says Dana Lajeunesse, MLA for Juan de Fuca-Malahat. “This funding will bring essential equipment, supplies and training to keep residents of our communities safe.”

The following local communities are receiving funding:

• Metchosin – $38,000 for ESS supplies, group lodging equipment and training
• Pacheedaht First Nation – $39,974 for group lodging equipment, training and exercises
• Sooke – $39,995 for ESS trailer, recruitment, training and exercises

The BC New Democrat government is providing over $5 million for 113 local projects. The funding will help communities expand their capacity to provide emergency support services through volunteer recruitment and retention, volunteer training, and the purchase of equipment.

The Community Emergency Preparedness Fund is a suite of funding programs designed to help local governments and First Nations better prepare for disasters and reduce risks from natural hazards in a changing climate. These programs include public notification and evacuation-route planning, emergency operations centre equipment and training, volunteer and composite fire department equipment and training, and Indigenous cultural safety and humility training.

Since its establishment in 2017, the Province has committed $369 million into CEPF. To date, approximately $315 million has been provided for approximately 2,400 projects across all CEPF streams. This fund is administered through the Union of BC Municipalities.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025EMCR0010-000312