Federal Government Takes Action on B.C. Flood Risk
May 4.2007

Members' Statement

Mr. James Moore (Port Moody—Westwood-Port Coquitlam, CPC): Mr. Speaker, there is a risk of severe flooding this spring in British Columbia. Due to a massive snowpack in the mountains, serious concern exists that a warm weather spell could result in a quick melt, a major swelling of the Fraser River, and flooding that would threaten the homes of thousands of British Columbians, including many of my constituents in Port Coquitlam.

Our Conservative government is taking action to protect the safety, property and livelihood of British Columbians. I am pleased to report to this House and my constituents that our government is working with the government of British Columbia by providing $16.5 million toward the flood mitigation program announced by Premier Gordon Campbell.

We are also providing $4 million for the long overdue dredging of the Fraser River. Dredging eases the threat of flooding by helping remove some of the over two million cubic metres of sediment that settle in the Fraser every spring.

Our Conservative government is doing all we can to ensure that those homes and businesses in Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam and all the communities along the Fraser are protected from this potentially devastating flood this spring.

We are delivering results for British Columbia as we promised to do.