DELTA, B.C.: As the Fraser Valley faces severe flooding once again due to atmospheric rivers, Ian Paton, Opposition Critic for Agriculture, is calling out the provincial government for its failure to provide essential funding and decisive action to protect farms and livestock at risk.
In 2021, devastating floods severely impacted many dairy and poultry farms. Today, with 66 farms under evacuation orders, 99 farms on evacuation alerts, and over 11,000 animals at risk, the need for effective flood mitigation is even more urgent. The implications of such disruptions extend beyond immediate losses, threatening food security for communities across the province.
Following the catastrophic events of 2021, the B.C. NDP government introduced a 10-year flood mitigation plan in 2024, yet the plan lacked a clear budget, project priorities, and timelines. “Our agricultural communities in the Sumas Prairie face potential devastation with insufficient resources for vital flood defences,” stated Paton. “Local farmers should not have to shoulder these burdens alone.”
Paton emphasized the need for targeted funding for critical infrastructure projects, including a new Sumas pump station, which the City of Abbotsford has been advocating for to enhance flood management in the region.
With an estimated $3 billion required for flood protection upgrades in the City of Delta alone, this funding is essential to support the needs of municipalities.
“This ongoing flood crisis highlights a glaring gap in proactive disaster management. The province should prioritize funding for flood mitigation to protect our farms and ensure the safety and viability of our food supply,” Paton urged. “Delays in action only increase the risks and potential losses.”
Paton continues to advocate for immediate intervention and accountability, urging the province to implement a comprehensive strategy with adequate funding to safeguard British Columbia’s agricultural sector and infrastructure.
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Media Contact:
Ryan Painter
Communications
Ryan.Painter@leg.bc.ca
