CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

Thank you Mr. Speaker,

I will be splitting my time with the Minister of Emergency Preparedness.

It’s hard to even believe what’s happening in B.C.

That after a summer of drought in Abbotsford, people’s homes are now underwater.

That after living with the fear of wildfires, months ago, Merritt now faces the devastation of flooding.

That whole highways have been washed away.

That farmers have lost whole herds.

That families have lost loved ones.

These are incredibly tough times.

To British Columbians: I know you’ve already had to face so much.

This summer, on top of the pandemic, you went through record heat and devastating wildfires.

I’ve lived for years in B.C., so I know that you’re tough, resilient people.

Today, I want to say once again that our government will continue to be there for you.

From the start, we moved to get help to British Columbia as quickly as possible.

The Minister will get into more details in a moment, but we immediately convened the Incident Response Group to get the right help to the right places.

Over 500 Canadian Armed Forces members are now deployed.

They’re delivering food and supplies to communities, putting down sandbags to protect homes, while repairing infrastructure, and rescuing livestock.

There’s also significant support with helicopters and aircrafts, with Griffons, a Cyclone, and a Chinook now in B.C., as well as a Hercules and two Twin Otters.

And reservists have been called in, including to help in Abbotsford.

On top of that, there’s a team ensuring the essentials – including fuel – keep moving.

I know this is a concern for a lot of people and businesses.

We’re issuing interim orders to get food, fuel, and supplies to communities and farms.

And just today, we approved a request from the Port of Vancouver for over $4 million to create extra capacity, so ships aren’t turned away while the port clears the backlog of traffic.

Mr. Speaker, our focus is getting everyone through this crisis, which includes by providing almost $4.5 million in immediate support to First Nation communities to keep people safe, and start rebuilding.

There is no doubt.

The scale of this disaster is staggering.

What it means for people’s lives and businesses is devastating.

We’re here to help with whatever British Columbians need, and we’ll work hand in hand with the government of B.C. on direct support.

On that note, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all of the first responders, and the women and men in uniform, who’ve stepped up to serve.

And of course, standing right behind each and every one of them, is everyone across the province who’s shown what British Columbians are made of.

I think of the family who owns a restaurant in Hope, and handed out food to folks stuck in their cars.

Or the volunteers at Surrey gurdwaras who’ve sent meals to those who lost their homes.

Or the women and men in Abbotsford who, last week, passed sandbags from hand to hand through the night.

Across the province, people have stepped up.

And together, we’re going to get British Columbia through this crisis. 

This is the moment to do everything we can to keep families safe, to help farmers, and to get trucks back on the road.

We have to do everything we can for right now, and for the future.

Because we know this is not an isolated case.

For British Columbians, this fall it’s been flooding and landslides.

Last summer, it was droughts and wildfires.

For people out east, it’s a state of emergency and washed out highways because of storms hitting hard right now.

The people in Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia, we will be there for you.

So tonight, please stay safe and follow local guidelines.

If the last year has shown us anything, it’s that the impacts of climate change are here sooner than expected.

And they’re devastating.

So on adaptation, we have to accelerate our work.

I could talk about investments to water-proof homes or the half a billion dollars we’ll put toward community-based firefighters and equipment.

All of that is key.

But when it comes to solutions, it’s not just about one program or one investment or one community.

It’s about putting the full power of government, and the entire force of our commitment, behind real, meaningful climate action.

Today, as we rebuild our communities, we also have to rebuild for their future.

Mr. Speaker, there are no simple or easy solutions.

But we’re going to keep taking real, concrete action.

These are difficult, heartbreaking days.

And there will be difficult days still ahead.

But together, we will rebuild:

Hand in hand with the government of B.C., with First Nations, with municipalities, with all British Columbians.

We will help you recover from this crisis and rebuild your homes, your businesses, your lives.

And together, we will reach better, brighter times.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.