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.
