Canada invests to reduce likelihood of forest fires in Whistler

From: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada

News release

Whistler, British Columbia, November 10, 2022— Today, Patrick Weiler, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities and Arthur De Jong, Councillor of the Resort Municipality of Whistler, announced federal funding for a wildfire fuel treatment program in Whistler.

Climate modelling has revealed that longer, hotter, and drier summers are expected in B.C., with temperatures reaching record highs in recent years. With climate change posing an increased risk of wildfires, the Government of Canada is investing to protect the residents of Whistler.  

The funding announced today will perform fuel management treatments to 12 high-risk forested areas in Whistler. The treatments will reduce the risk of wildfires and protect local communities, including the Lil’wat Nation and Squamish Nation. Once completed, the project will ensure that regional critical infrastructure and residential areas are protected, while increasing awareness and understanding of the wildfire risk posed to the area.

The Government of Canada is investing over $10.1 million in this project.

By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country’s economy, increasing the resiliency of our communities, and improving the lives of Canadians

Quotes

“With climate change increasing the likelihood of severe weather events, it is important that we invest in quality disaster mitigation and adaptation infrastructure. Through this major federal investment, we will see the implementation of fuel management treatments in a dozen high risk areas in Whistler, which will safeguard homes, businesses, livelihoods, and the environment. This project will also inform local communities about wildfire risks and management in the area to build awareness and climate resiliency so that our community is informed in how we can protect what matters most."

Patrick Weiler, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities

“We are very thankful to Infrastructure Canada for investing in the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s Wildfire Fuel Treatment Program. This money allows us to expedite the work we have already started to reduce the risk of wildfire and protect our community. We have a Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan, and now we have the funds to protect our critical infrastructure, our residential areas and our tourism economy.”

Arthur De Jong, Councillor, Resort Municipality of Whistler

Quick facts

  • The Government of Canada’s funding for this project comes from the Disaster and Mitigation Adaptation Fund (DMAF), through the Investing in Canada Plan.

  • Launched in 2018, the DMAF is a $2 billion, 10-year program that helps communities build infrastructure they need to better withstand natural hazards such as floods, wildfires, earthquakes, and droughts. Budget 2021 provided the DMAF program with an additional $1.375 billion over 12 years.

  • The DMAF is part of the federal government’s Investing in Canada Plan, which is providing more than $180 billion over 12 years for public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and rural and northern communities.

  • To date, over $2.2 billion has been announced through the DMAF for 72 infrastructure projects that will help protect communities across the country from the threats of climate change. 

Associated links

Contacts

For more information (media only), please contact:

Jean-Sébastien Comeau
Press Secretary and Senior Communications Advisor
Office of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities
343-574-8116
Jean-Sebastien.Comeau@iga-aig.gc.ca

Jennifer Smith
Communications Manager
Resort Municipality Of Whistler
604-935-8104
media@whistler.ca

Media Relations
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: media-medias@infc.gc.ca
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Web: Infrastructure Canada

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