Conservative MPs’ Advocacy Results in Billions for Federal Disaster Recovery Support

OTTAWA, ON — Ed Fast, Member of Parliament for Abbotsford, Brad Vis, Member of Parliament for Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, Mark Strahl, Member of Parliament for Chilliwack—Hope, and Dan Albas, Member of Parliament for Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, issued the following statement in response to the federal government’s Economic and Fiscal Update:

“We are pleased that our Conservative team’s efforts to secure federal support for flood recovery efforts is paying off. Our Team Canada approach to working with the federal government has ensured that British Columbians will receive some of the resources they need to help them through this very difficult time.

“Yesterday’s Economic and Fiscal Update provided $5 billion for the federal government’s share of recovery costs under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) as well as for other costs related to recent natural disasters in B.C. That said, small communities, specifically Princeton and Merritt, have expressed their frustration that due to the scale of the damage, their tax base is unable to support their share under the DFAA. The federal government must give them the certainty they need, in writing, rather than vague assurances of future support.

“Sadly, our call for the Trudeau Liberals to match donations made to qualified charitable groups beyond the Canadian Red Cross went unheeded. We will continue to advocate for matching federal support for the many worthy organizations that have raised money and done the good work on the ground in our flood ravaged regions.

“Our request for the government to provide direct funding to rebuild Lytton, B.C. after its devastation by last summer’s forest fires has not been met. Similarly, our demand for the Trudeau government to take seriously the future threat of more regular flooding events and to set aside sufficient funding to properly rebuild, upgrade and expand our diking and drainage infrastructure in the Fraser Valley and other parts of southern British Columbia was completely overlooked.

“Canada’s Conservatives will continue to take a Team Canada approach to help the people of British Columbia rebuild. We commit to renewed advocacy and increased political pressure to ensure that the promised funds reach those who need it and are expeditiously invested in the critical infrastructure BC requires.”

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