The provincial government says the strategy is backed up with more than $500 million in spending during the next three years.
The provincial government on Monday said the strategy is backed up with more than $500 million in spending during the next three years, but critics claim the plan fails to recognize the magnitude and true costs of climate impacts in B.C.
But the plan puts off completion of a critical provincial flood strategy until next year, as well as a flood resilience plan that would address the need for new dikes until 2025. West Coast Environmental Law, a B.C.-based group that supports environmental lawsuits, said the strategy was a long-overdue important step forward, including a requirement to report annually on progress.Article content
The investigation determined the cost of increased flood and wildfire protection was at least $13 billion. The cost is certainly much higher as only a third of 75 communities examined had a detailed, costed flood protection plan, and the analysis does not cover the entire province. Other elements of the strategy include increased floodplain mapping, but there is no timeline for that work or amount to be spent.Article content