Harper Government Takes Proactive Approach to Preparing Yukon and Northern B.C. First Nations to Deal with Floods and Forest Fires

Funding helps communities protect lives and property when emergencies strike

WHITEHORSE, May 6, 2015 /CNW/ - Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament for Yukon, on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, today announced that Canada has invested in helping Yukon and northern B.C. First Nations protect their communities during emergencies.

Canada provided $90,000 toward key emergency management activities, including:

• reviewing and updating emergency management plans;
• providing training to community members on how to prepare their households for potential emergencies; and
• supporting community-wide simulation exercises that activate emergency plans. These exercises clarify the roles and responsibilities of First Nations, community members and regional emergency management partners in Yukon and B.C. in an emergency situation.

The participating communities were White River First Nation, Liard First Nation, and Ross River Dena Council in the Yukon and Dease River First Nation, Taku River Tlingit and Daylu Dena Council in northern BC.

This investment is funded from the $19.1 million in annual funding Minister Valcourt announced in November 2013 as part of a new approach to emergency management on reserves. The funds aim to assist First Nation communities with projects such as emergency management planning and preparation.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada supported 34 emergency management preparedness projects for First Nations across the country during the 2014-2015 fiscal year.
• Discussions are currently underway between Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada and provincial and territorial governments across Canada to have formal agreements that provide First Nation communities with improved access to comparable emergency assistance available elsewhere in their province or territory.
• Canada currently has an Emergency Management agreement in place with the Province of Alberta.

Quotes

"Our Government is working to keep Canadians safe. Floods, wildfires and other natural disasters can strike at a moment's notice, and preparation is crucial in order to protect lives and property. That's why we took action to further equip Yukon and northern B.C. First Nations to respond in an emergency."

Ryan Leef
Member of Parliament for Yukon

"As our community is isolated with little to no emergency services, this training will greatly assist the community of Good Hope Lake in responding to emergencies, be they fires, avalanches or wash-outs. The Dease River First Nation emergency plan identifies the roles and lines of authority to ensure an effective response."

Chief Ruby Johnny
Dease River First Nation

Associated Links

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada - Emergency Management

Agreement between Canada and Alberta Doubles the Number of Field Service Officers Working with First Nations

Backgrounder - How AANDC Supports First Nation Communities During Emergencies

Harper Government Announces New Measures to Strengthen Emergency Management on Reserve

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SOURCE Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

Emily Hillstrom, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, 819-997-0002; Media Relations, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, 819-953-1160