The Columbia Basin Trust is giving money to 13 rural and First Nations communities to set up locations where people can gather during emergencies and disasters.
The Trust’s new Community Readiness Program is providing over $1 million to help communities create gathering spaces, with access to necessities like power, filtered air, air conditioning, emergency equipment and emergency supplies.
“Many rural and First Nations communities are taking action to adequately equip and prepare themselves during emergencies, and this new program helps them get ready for these challenging events,” senior delivery benefits manager Will Nixon said in a news release.
“With the changing climate, events like wildfires, floods and heat waves are becoming all too prevalent. Basin residents have consistently told us how important it is to become resilient to climate change, which is why we’ve introduced a program like this and made climate resilience a priority.”
Among the recipients are the Yaqan NuɁkiy, who will receive $119,280 to add a generator and transfer switch to their administration building.
Some of the other projects are listed below.
| Community | Organization | Project | Description | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ʔakisq̓ nuk First Nation | ʔakisq̓ nuk First Nation | ʔakisq̓ nuk Emergency Centre (Recreation Centre) | Add generators, a high-efficiency particulate air filtration system and cots and blankets. | Up to $90,000 |
| Argenta | Argenta Community Association | Argenta Hall Community Readiness Project | Add an air filtration system, water purification system and alternative power supply, and improve accessibility. | $78,030 |
| Balfour | Balfour Recreation Commission | Balfour Warming Centre Project (Balfour Hall) | Add backup power, a portable air filtration system and first aid supplies, and increase accessibility. | $88,272 |
| Edgewater | Regional District of East Kootenay | Edgewater Hall Community Readiness | Add a heating, cooling and air filtration system. | $90,000 |
| Edgewood | Royal Canadian Legion No. 203 Edgewood | Edgewood Hall Community Readiness | Add a generator and a heating, ventilation, cooling and air filtration system. | $121,500 |
| Grasmere | Triangle Women’s Institute | Pioneer Hall Community Readiness | Add a generator and a storage unit containing emergency upplies and medical equipment. | $22,500 |
| Johnsons Landing | Johnsons Landing Community Association | Johnsons Landing Hall Community Readiness | Add a generator and a heating, ventilation, cooling and air filtration system. | $87,300 |
| Montrose | Village of Montrose | Montrose Village Square Hall Community Readiness | Add a heating, ventilation, cooling and air filtration system. | $39,600 |
| Moyie | Moyie Community Association | Moyie Hall Community Readiness | Add a generator, a first aid station, rations, cots and sleeping bags. | $36,420 |
| Procter | Procter Community Society | Procter Hall Community Readiness | Add a generator, first aid supplies and a portable air purifier. | $85,990 |
| Yaq̓ it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it | Yaq̓ it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it | Yaq̓ it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it Community Readiness | Add two generators, first aid equipment, additional telecommunications equipment and two storage containers to hold emergency supplies and equipment. | $91,800 |