Home Uncategorized Extension provided for Emergency Program Act review

Extension provided for Emergency Program Act review

VICTORIA – The opportunity to provide input into the future of the Emergency

Program Act (EPA) has been extended until April 22, 2016, to allow more time

for feedback.

 

Government’s desire to encourage a robust and thoughtful dialogue on the EPA

prompted the extension after hearing the desire expressed by some

stakeholders for additional time to provide a more thorough and meaningful

response, particularly in cases where local authorities required more time

to get the EPA discussion paper on their counsel docket.

 

On Jan. 11, 2016, the public engagement website at

http://engage.gov.bc.ca/emergencyprogramact/ opened, initially with a six-

week window for feedback.

 

‘Prepared and Resilient’ is a discussion paper on the legislative framework

for emergency management in British Columbia that follows up with ongoing

consultations done across government. It is intended to support an engaging

consultation with stakeholders about emergency management legislation in

B.C. The EPA requires local authorities, ministries, Crown corporations,

government agencies, and others to develop plans and programs to prepare

for and respond to emergencies and disasters in the province.

 

While best practices in the field of emergency management in B.C. and

elsewhere have evolved significantly over the past two decades, the

Emergency Program Act in B.C. has remained largely unchanged since its

introduction in 1993. It has never been the subject of a full and open

review until now.

 

This consultation acknowledges recent changes some other Canadian

jurisdictions have made to modernize their emergency management laws. The

engagement has also been shaped by findings and recommendations of the 2014

earthquake preparedness reports of the British Columbia’s auditor general

and Henry Renteria.

 

You can provide feedback by joining the online discussion or sending your

comments by email. The opportunity for comment is open until April 22, 2016,

at 4 p.m. Government also has invited key stakeholders to make formal

stakeholder submissions that will be made available publicly as they are

received.

 

The input and feedback that will be received from interested British

Columbians on the challenges and proposals outlined in the discussion paper

will best inform the development of any changes to the law, creating

legislation that supports a prepared and resilient province.

 

 

 

 

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