The federal government must be more generous with disaster relief as climate change-linked floods and fires pound communities across B.C., Premier Christy Clark said on a tour of washed out bridges and flooded basements in Dawson Creek Sunday.
"When I was up in the Peace two months ago, the place was on fire," she said. "And now it's under water. Really, we have to, across Canada, get used to the fact that weather events are getting more extreme. Climate change is having a big impact.
The premier toured three damaged roads and a flooded home on a brief visit to Dawson Creek June 19.
She said B.C. has earmarked around $65 million in flood mitigation funding this year, but said the previous federal government's changes to eligibility for disaster assistance should be reversed.
"The previous federal government raised the threshold for eligibility, they reduced the amount of money available overall," she said. "They need to fix both of those things."
She said more focus should be placed on mitigating flooding.
"What I would argue is we need more money before the floods and before the fires happen so that the clean up and the impact is lessened."
"From the federal government's perspective, it's a big economic question. When a road goes out, the economy stops."
Officials will hold a meeting on how to apply for Disaster Financial Assistance program funding in Dawson Creek Monday.
