Resources and Support- BC Flooding Event

This page will be used to collect information and resources on the ongoing heavy rainfall and flooding event in British Columbia. See below for more information. Growers who have been severely impacted (e.g., loss of home), please contact the Council office at 604-864-2117 or email info@bcblueberry.com

 

What is the BC Blueberry Council doing to help?

  1. Raising awareness of the impact of floods on the blueberry industry, which has not received as much attention. 
  2. Exploring ways for private contributions to affected growers
  3. Advocacy with all levels of government on getting assistance for severely impacted growers

Read the BC Blueberry Council's statement regarding the recent floods online here. 

 

Resources

Please see below a number of resources that may be helpful in light of BC's heavy rainfall event and subsequent flooding.

AgriRecovery Program - APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

The provincial and federal governments have announced the 2021 Canada-British Columbia Flood Recovery Program for Food Security (AgriRecovery).

The 2021 Canada-British Columbia Flood Recovery Program for Food Security (the program) provides one-time funding for:

  • Uninsurable infrastructure repair and cleanup costs
  • Return to production expenses

The program is open to agricultural producers who were impacted by 2021 flooding and have their main farmstead in B.C.

Applications are NOW OPEN. See the application and more information about the program here.

 

 

Abbotsford Return Home Plan
The City of Abbotsford has prepared a Return Home plan for some evacuated communities in the Sumas Prairie area. Please see this link for more information about your area and the resources available.
 

Sumas Prairie Evacuation Area Access
The Ministry of Agriculture has prepared an info sheet for Sumas Prairie evacuation area access for producers accessing their properties within the order area. Permits are no longer required, only recommended for anyone driving in an unmarked vehicle. Click here to see the info sheet.

 

From the Ministry of Agriculture

The Ministry of Agriculture has provided some high-level guidelines on financial programs for flood-affected growers. See them here.

 

From the City of Abbotsford

Waste Disposal for Flood Clean-up

City of Abbotsford Flooding information webpage

For more information on evacuation orders and alerts please visit this page.

 

From the Provincial Government
The provincial government has added the flood event to the Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) program, please visit this page for more details: Financial assistance in a disaster (Applications are now closed)

DFA is available to homeowners, residential tenants, business owners, farm owners, and charitable organizations that were unable to obtain insurance to cover disaster-related losses. By regulation, DFA is unable to compensate for losses for which insurance was reasonably and readily available. DFA will continue to assess each individual applicant by applying its existing legislative criteria in a fair and consistent way.

 

From WALI
Keep yourself informed by watching updates from Emergency Info BC or your local authorities. If you receive an evacuation alert be ready to leave on very short notice. If you receive an evacuation order, you are at risk and need to leave the area immediately. If you need to relocate temporary foreign workers, please inform the relevant foreign consulate. WALI can assist with the transfer of SAWP workers if needed. Click here for more resources.

 

Assistance for property clean-up/ flood remediation

The Samaritan’s Purse is an organization that has been coordinating relief efforts and they will be able to support property clean-up.

Homeowners in Abbotsford who are in need of assistance can call 1-833-738-7743. Homeowners in Merritt who are in need of assistance can call 1-866-628-6565.

 

From Terralink

  • Transportation support for flood affected farmers and related recreation industry customers: During the post flood clean-up period, TerraLink has two transportation units (truck, trailer and driver) available to help flood-affected businesses deal with clean-up logistics.
  • Collection of On-Farm Damaged Pesticides and Livestock Medications Affected By Flooding: TerraLink is working with Cleanfarms, the same organization that conducts the triennial “Unwanted Pesticide Collection Program” across Canada, to organize a special collection of flood damaged, unwanted pesticides and livestock medications for flood victims.
  • Personal Protection Equipment: With support from our suppliers, we are currently offering discounted prices on PPE that cleanup crews in the affected areas will need. These are items such as spray suits, half masks and cartridges, spray goggles, chem resistant gloves and backpack sprayers.
  • Other help: We are currently working with various financial institutions, suppliers, and branches of government to find out how to best help flood affected farms and businesses.

We are working hard to support our customers through this hard time. If you are a flood affected farmer, please reach out to us at farmfloodrelief@tlhort.com.

 

From MNP
MNP, which is an associate member of CHC, has put together a comprehensive overview of emergency supports and resources currently in place for those impacted by flooding and landslides. You can access the document at this link.

 

From the Bank of Montreal (see message below)

Financial relief for those affected by the British Columbia flooding

We’re here to help you through the uncertainty caused by the floods in British Columbia. If you and your family have been affected, you can reach out to discuss your needs and get support through these tough times.

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We’re offering financial relief to customers who have been affected by the flooding in BC, including:

  • Deferral of payments on certain personal Loans and Mortgages
  • Deferral of personal Credit Card payments
  • Fast tracking of Creditor Insurance claims for clients whose employment is impacted by the flooding
  • No holds on insurance cheques provided they are payable to the customer only and deposited in the Branch
  • Business Banking or Commercial clients can also reach out to their BMO key contact – BMO is here to help.

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To get financial relief or talk about your needs, find a BMO branch near you or call us at 1-855-229-7485