The Regional District of Fraser Fort George wants more collaboration with new regulations in the Emergency and Disaster Management Act.
The concern is that the new regulations will force significant new responsibilities on local and regional governments.
On November 8, 2023, the Emergency and Disaster Management Act (EDMA) came into effect, replacing the Emergency Program Act.
The new act represents a fundamental shift in the province’s interpretation of emergency management. Some powers and duties are now in effect under the EDMA; others will be brought into force via new regulations scheduled for implementation in 2024-2025.
The EDMA clearly places significantly more responsibilities upon local governments and the province is providing an opportunity to comment on the changes to help shape the creation of modernized regulations.
The district says the information provided in the EDMA is not sufficient to understand the full impacts on regional districts.
It says a full legal review of the act and coming regulations is needed to provide a better understanding of the direct impacts these changes will force upon the regional district.
At its January board meeting, regional district directors agreed to submit a letter to the provincial government calling for the need for more information and collaboration.
It is also asking the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness to consider creating a regional district working group to co-develop these regulations and that the Ministry create a ‘What We Heard’ report with the feedback received from local authorities and how the ministry plans to address comments received regarding the new Emergency & Disaster Management Act requirements.
“We are concerned that full consideration of how regional districts fund their emergency management services has not been factored into the significant changes introduced by the EDMA,” writes Chairperson Lara Beckett in the draft version of the letter to be submitted to the provincial government.
“Regional districts face significantly different funding and budgetary challenges in delivering effective emergency management in comparison to municipalities. This includes rules regarding how budgets are allocated and how tax dollars can be spent.”
She said the vast increase in responsibilities downloaded from the provincial government onto local governments raises significant concerns with what these changes will mean for local governments.
“Realistic regulations around planning, expectations, regulatory requirements and financial support must be established for local governments to support those new aspects of emergency management delegated to local governments,” she said.
“Clear, direct funding from the provincial government will be required to support the new responsibilities brought on by these changes. Relying on grants to fund this work requires significant local government resources to both apply for and manage the grants.”
