NDP​’s lack of action and communication leaves B.C. unprepared for flooding: BC Liberals

AS B.C. is rocked by heavy rainfall leading to serious flooding, landslides, and evacuation orders, the BC Liberals say they are concerned about the lack of proactive response and clear communication from the NDP which has left the province unprepared to deal with the impacts of catastrophic flooding.

“The entire city of Merritt in my riding has been ordered to evacuate, parts of Princeton are underwater, and nearly every major highway in and out of the Lower Mainland has been closed due to landslides and flooding — this is an emergency​, and one that government should have been better prepared for,” said Jackie Tegart, MLA for Fraser-Nicola, on Monday. “​The risk of floods has been building for several days, and yet there has been no provincewide emergency alert system to help warn people of the dangers. People should be able to rely on government to clearly communicate in times of crisis, but that is not happening right now.”

The BC Liberals said that earlier this year we saw record-breaking temperatures during the heat dome, as well as incredibly destructive wildfires, to which this government was slow to adequately respond. Now, this record-breaking rainfall and flooding serves as another example of extreme weather events becoming more common due to the impacts of climate change. However, despite their own government’s reports warning about these dangers in 2018 and 2019, the NDP has failed to adapt its approaches and emergency protocols to accept the new  reality.

“Right now, thousands of people across the province are worried, concerned about their safety as floodwaters block roadways and damage property,” said Mike Morris, BC Liberal Critic for Public Safety and Solicitor General. “People need to see real leadership from this NDP government, and that means action, clear communication, and assurances that government has their back. Unfortunately, too many British Columbians feel let down and abandoned by the NDP for the third time this year. It is extremely frustrating that a government that so often speaks of the dangers of climate change has failed at every possible opportunity to properly prepare for and respond to climate-related disasters, leaving people on the ground to deal with the fallout.”