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B.C. B.C. Finance Minister Selina RobinsonMake sure that communities have the resources necessary to deal with the consequences of Climate changeHer budget will be the focal point on Tuesday.
Over the past year, climate change has wrought havoc on the province, including the deaths of many. Heat waves, Wildfires and storms that caused major flooding across southern B.C., as well as dealing with the COVID−19 pandemic and an opioid overdose crisisShe said.
“We’ve been through a lot together and I’m not just talking about the dual health emergencies that we continue to face,” Robinson said at a news conference. “The devastating effects of climate change have been clearly demonstrated over the past few years.”
Last summer’s heat waves saw hundreds of deaths, wildfires that swept through Lytton, Monte Lake, and flooding. MudslidesShe stated that the destruction of farms in Fraser Valley, along with the crippled rail and highway transport routes to the Interior, are clear indicators that climate change is upon us.
Robinson said, “And we as government, are committed toensuring people and the communities have the resources they need to face that challenge.”
She said the government plans to introduce a year−round B.C. Wildfire Service dedicated to full−time fire prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.
“This is a fundamental shift, a real shift that will deliver B.C. Wildfire Service from a reactive to a proactive approach by moving to a year−round workforce,” Robinson said.
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The minister did not directly address estimates on the financial cost of last fall’s floods and mudslides in southern B.C. Other than to state that the details will appear in the budget, the minister did not address the financial cost of the floods and mudslides in southern B.C.
“We need to keep people and communities safe, and that’s what you are seeing, and you’ll see more of that tomorrow (Tuesday),” Robinson said.
In November, Robinson forecast a budget deficit of $1.7 billion for the 2021−22 fiscal year, down from the original projection of $9.7 billion last February.
Finance minister @selinarobinson says #BC government’s #budget will be centered on climate change challenges #BCPoli #ClimateChange
This report was published by The Canadian Press on February 21, 2022.
