BC Liberal MLA's Rustad/Barnett propose amendments to Provincial Wildfire/Floods Review Terms of Reference

Earlier this week - the provincial government announced its' Provincial Wildfire/Floods Review, to be led by former BC Liberal Cabinet Minister and former Columbia Shuswap Regional District Chair George Abbott and Hereditary Chief of Sq’ewá:lxw (Skawahlook) First Nation Maureen Chapman

The proposed terms of reference for the Review are:

The strategic review of the Province’s emergency management system will examine and assess the provincial and local government response to the 2017 flooding and wildfire events, including the provision of recommendations that can assist the Province in improving upon its systems, processes and procedures.

Specifically, the review will focus on the governance aspects of the system, including statutes, regulations, policy and leadership practices that define the context within which the emergency management system operates.

The review will consider the spectrum of activities that are undertaken across the four phases representing the lifecycle of the BC Emergency Management System.

The review and recommendations will provide overall guidance to the Province on the following key focus areas:

Planning and Preparedness

Status of assessment of hazard, risk and vulnerabilities
Status of provincial governance, planning and preparedness levels
Capacity of the Province to plan for and ensure support to local governments, regional districts and First Nation communities
Status of local government, regional district and First Nation communities’ governance, planning and preparedness levels
Resourcing requirements for flood and fire events for all key capability assets
Review and status of actions taken from the Filmon Report to identify progress and determine whether there are any remaining gaps in implementing the recommendations
Prevention and Mitigation

Current activities and opportunities for new activities by government and partners, including activities at the landscape level, that could contribute to enhanced prevention and mitigation for natural hazards
Review of current forest management practices, including but not limited to hazard abatement and harvest age
Economic costs and benefits associated with existing practices and possible enhanced mitigation practices for natural hazards
Response

Execution of the 2016 BC Emergency Management System
Province’s ability to respond effectively and sustain operations over a longer term during major emergency events of provincial significance, including resourcing requirements for all key capability assets
Province’s ability to effectively support local government response during significant emergencies
Province’s ability to quickly and effectively secure required resources during critical incidents
Capacity of local government, regional districts and First Nations communities to respond effectively during major emergency events
State of co-ordination and communication structures and processes in place within the provincial government
Co-ordination and communication structures and process with other levels of governments and external partners including but not limited to First Nations, Canada, local governments and regional districts, communities and the public
Examination of private and public sector best practices to respond to major emergency events of provincial significance, including the identification of tools and approaches that may be effective in the B.C. context
Recovery

Current state and capacity for the Province to assist and support communities, businesses and individuals in recovery efforts
The terms of reference are designed to be as comprehensive as possible and the reviewers have the discretion to consider other items that may be brought forward in the context of emergency preparedness, response and recovery.

A final report and recommendations are due to government by April 30, 2018, to help inform government’s actions in advance of the 2018 freshet and wildfire seasons. If more time is needed, government will use interim recommendations.

Now - John Rustad, MLA for Nechako Lakes and Donna Barnett, MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin have written to the Hon. Doug Donaldson - Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development, proposing amendments to the above mentioned Terms of Reference for the Provincial Wildfire/Floods Review

Read their letter to Minister Donaldson here

~SF