Through Hell And High Water

Dec 15, 2021 - 3 years ago

BC Flood 2021 Report — *Whatcom Road Interchange, Abbotsford, BC: An aerial perspective of the flooding. Photo: B.C. Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure.*

Devastating floods, mud and rock slides pummelled BC this winter, crippling critical supply chains and evacuating thousands from their destroyed homes and farms. How does a province recover from that?

Vancouver Fraser Port Authority To Address Supply Chain Disruptions As A Result Of BC’s Floods

Government of Canada continues to take action to support the transportation system of British Columbia after the recent floods.

The Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, and the Minister of Emergency Preparedness, the Honourable Bill Blair, has announced that the Government of Canada is contributing up to $4.1 million to the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority under the National Trade Corridors Fund to provide relief in the aftermath of the floods in British Columbia.

Helpful Resources
Red Cross Donation
Rooted In Strength Initiative
Do More Ag Foundation
Wellness Together Canada
Business Risk Management Programs

The initiative, led by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, will help ease supply chain constraints and bottlenecks in the Lower Mainland. It will address current supply chain disruptions, which have created delays and service challenges at the port’s container facilities, by delivering additional container storage capacity, through the preparation of an undeveloped 40-acre parcel land within the Fraser Richmond Industrial Lands for the handling and storage of empty containers.

BC Floods 2021 Report — Operation LENTUS 21-06: Members of 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron conduct an aerial recce of the Sumas Floodplain and Highway 1, between Hope and Merritt, BC in December.
Photo: Private Daniel Pereira, 39 CBG Public Affairs, Canadian Armed Forces photo.

Transport Canada is actively engaged and working with the Province of British Columbia, along with port, terminal, railway, air, and trucking sectors, to provide any support required in response to the damages caused by flooding in British Columbia. Of paramount concern is supporting those who are displaced or being evacuated as a result of the landslides.

Through the National Trade Corridors Fund, the Government of Canada is investing in well-functioning trade corridors to help Canadians compete in key global markets, trade more efficiently with international partners, and to keep Canadian supply chains competitive. It represents a long-term commitment by the Government of Canada to work with stakeholders on strategic infrastructure projects to address transportation bottlenecks, vulnerabilities, and congestion along Canada’s trade corridors.

“All Canadians stand with British Columbians,” stated The Honourable Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport. “Our government is taking steps to resolve transportation and supply chain issues, and we commend the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority for its leadership. We will continue to work with local partners in the coming days, weeks and months to address transportation issues as they arise.”

The impacts of the recent extreme weather events have been devastating to British Columbians, including many First Nations communities, as well as to critical infrastructure, supply chains and the agricultural sector,” said The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of Emergency Preparedness. “That is why the Government of Canada will continue to provide support to the Province of British Columbia as they work to repair and recover from this tragedy. I would also like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the important and collaborative work that has gone on between federal and provincial partners, as well as the many first responders, search and rescue volunteers and emergency managers. Thank you all for your ongoing and tireless efforts.”

Quick Facts

Thousands of workers in our ports, terminals, railway and trucking sectors are working hard and collaborating to keep our supply chain flowing. Canadian supply chains are resilient and major efforts are underway to rebuild, recover, and restore operations.
An efficient and reliable transportation network is key to Canada’s economic growth. The Government of Canada, through the National Trade Corridors Fund, is making investments that will support the flow of goods across Canada’s supply chains.
Transport Canada delivers the National Trade Corridors Fund, which supports improvements to Canada’s roads, rail, air, and marine shipping routes to foster domestic and international trade.
The National Trade Corridors Fund is a competitive, merit-based program designed to help infrastructure owners and users invest in the critical transportation assets that support economic activity in Canada. A total of $4.2 billion over 11 years (2017-2028) has been allocated for the National Trade Corridors Fund, including over $1 billion in dedicated funding for building and improving transportation networks in Canada’s Arctic and northern regions.

Source: Transport Canada

Generous Donations Pour In From Brandt, John Deere, Teamsters

Brandt Commits $60,000 In Flood Recovery Aid

The Brandt Group of Companies has announced they are joining with the John Deere Foundation to support the immediate and emerging needs of communities impacted by the catastrophic flooding in British Columbia with a total $120,000 in funding for the Canadian Red Cross.

Brandt is committing $60,000 to aid in recovery efforts alongside the John Deere Foundation for a total $120,000 donation

“Stepping up when our employees, customers and the community needs us most is part of who we are at Brandt. As a family-owned company, we are proud to support the many families in the communities that support us in this time of need,” said Brandt CEO, Shaun Semple.

Brandt employees and customers live in many of the flood-ravaged areas. Brandt has 13 branch locations in B.C., serving hundreds of local customers impacted by the floods.

“It’s been a challenging year in British Columbia. Financial support from Brandt and the John Deere Foundation helps the Canadian Red Cross respond to the impacts of the recent floods and extreme weather and provide much-needed assistance to those who need it most,” added Pat Quealey, Vice-President, British Columbia and Yukon, Canadian Red Cross. “Money raised will enable the Red Cross to carry out relief, recovery, resiliency and risk reduction activities in British Columbia. We are grateful for this support.”

Teamsters Come To The Aid Of Flood Victims

Teamsters Canada, Teamsters Joint Councils 36, 52, 90 and 91 will donate a total of $200,000 to the Canadian Red Cross for flood relief in British Columbia.

After devastating forest fires last September, British Columbia is now experiencing historic torrential rains that have literally flooded an entire portion of the province.

As a result, flooding, mudslides and landslides have paralyzed most major roads in southern British Columbia. In addition, weather conditions over the next few days could affect the work of emergency teams trying to rebuild destroyed roads and bridges.

“The victims need help, which is why the Teamsters Union is making this donation to the Canadian Red Cross,” said the President of Teamsters Canada, François Laporte. “It goes without saying that our thoughts are with our friends in British Columbia, whom we invite to be careful when traveling.”

“The Teamsters have always responded to tragedies such as this one,” explained Stan Hennessy, president of Joint Council 36 and International Vice-President. “I also want to recognize the tireless and courageous work of the emergency teams who are doing a tremendous job on the ground.”

“We’re keeping our fingers crossed that the situation will improve in the coming days,” concludes François Laporte. “I will continue to monitor the situation closely with the International Vice-President Hennessy and the other Teamsters officers in British Columbia. »

Brother Craig McInnes, President of Joint Council 52 and International Vice President, also did not hesitate to help the people of British Columbia by donating $50,000 on behalf of the Teamsters in Ontario.

“When it’s time to help, the Teamsters are there,” he said.

The Teamsters Union invites its members, its local unions and the Canadian population to contribute to the Canadian Red Cross relief fund.

Sources: Brandt, Teamsters Canada, BC Road Builders Association

CN Donates $100,000 To Canadian Red Cross & BC Floods

CN announced it is making a donation of $100,000 to the Canadian Red Cross in support of relief efforts to aid flood and extreme weather victims in British Columbia.

“The communities and First Nations along the CN network are our neighbours, and neighbours help each other in times of need,” stated JJ Ruest, President and Chief executive officer of CN. “I would like to thank our employees and disaster relief personnel who have been organizing evacuations, delivering medical equipment, and escorting health care workers to stranded sites since the beginning of the floods. This donation will help provide much needed shelter, essential goods, emotional support to thousands of stranded residents, and help rebuild once the waters recede,” Ruest concluded.

Source: CN

Feds & B.C. Ag Ministers Listen To Farmers Concerning BC Flood

Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Lana Popham, British Columbia’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries held a virtual roundtable with B.C.’s agricultural sector yesterday to listen to their concerns following the devastating floods and landslides and to discuss both immediate and long-term support for the B.C. agriculture and agri-food industry.

Extreme weather events in B.C. have caused many agricultural producers and their families to struggle in extremely challenging circumstances as they deal with the loss of businesses, homes, livestock, crops and livelihoods. With over 800 farms in British Columbia currently under evacuation orders, the ministers recognized the producers’ courage and perseverance and indicated they are working together to make sure that producers have the resources they need to maintain their mental health and help rebuild their operations.

These events are indicative of climate change. As Canada works to meet its climate change goals, it will also work with the sector to ensure that it is better prepared and more resilient when these types of events happen.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and the Premier of British Columbia, John Horgan, recently announced a committee of federal and provincial ministers who will work together and with Indigenous leadership to guide immediate and ongoing support to British Columbia families, businesses, farmers and communities affected by the extreme weather events. The committee will also collaborate on recovery and rebuilding efforts, including by providing support to the sectors that have been most affected by the crisis.

The federal and provincial governments are taking concrete action to respond, including the recent provincial request to launch a joint assessment under the AgriRecovery Framework, which provides federal and provincial funding to help producers recover from natural disasters.

Federal and provincial officials are working with the utmost urgency to complete the joint assessment and help producers with their extraordinary costs. Outreach is already underway to specific provincial commodity groups to determine these costs and replacement values. Programming under AgriRecovery will roll out as soon as those assessments and the program design are completed.

Minister Bibeau also highlighted the work of Canadian Armed Forces personnel, who have been on the ground since mid-November to help farmers rescue livestock, resupply food to isolated communities, help repair critical infrastructure and assist with supply chain movement. The Government of Canada will continue to monitor the situation and will continue working with the province and industry to reduce impacts on food security, local food supply chains, animal welfare, as well as related producer operations.

“It has been inspiring to see farm families, their communities and emergency response forces pull together through this ongoing crisis,” stated The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “This crisis has taken a toll on many farmer’s livelihoods and their mental health, and they need to know we are here for them. Our Government will continue to do whatever we can to support British Columbia farmers and the provincial government with the devastating challenges they face today. Yesterday’s meeting with B.C.’s agriculture leaders was an important opportunity for Minister Popham and I to hear directly what we can do together to help address the situation.”

“The Government of Canada will continue to aid in the recovery efforts being undertaken by the Province of British Columbia,” said The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of Emergency Preparedness. “Providing relief, and recovering from the aftermath of a flood, is a long-term proposition, and we are committed to providing the necessary assistance to get people through this difficult time. My thoughts are with the agricultural producers and all those who have been negatively impacted within the agricultural sector by these recent extreme weather events.”

“Our governments have committed to work together, and listening intently to farmers and producers so we can provide the support needed to help them get back on their feet, with their farms back in production,” said The Honourable Lana Popham, B.C. Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. “This includes developing an AgriRecovery program that will be available in the weeks ahead, with its key focus on helping producers through the assessment, recovery and reconstruction phases, so we can get them working, and they can get back to producing the food that British Columbians count on.”

Quick Facts

During a crisis such as this, farmers facing the stress and uncertainty of providing for their families may suffer serious mental health impacts. The Government of Canada is committed to increasing the availability of high-quality mental health services for all individuals in Canada. Support services are available through various resources including:
Farm Credit Canada’s Rooted in Strength initiative, which raises awareness of mental health warning signs and available resources.
The Do More Ag Foundation, a not-for-profit organization focusing on mental health in agriculture across Canada.
Wellness Together Canada, an online mental health and substance use resource portal that provides free, credible information and supports.
Producers have access to a suite of Business Risk Management (BRM) programs to help them manage significant risks that threaten the viability of their farm and are beyond their capacity to manage.
AgriRecovery is a federal-provincial-territorial disaster relief framework intended to work together with the core BRM programs to help agricultural producers recover from natural disasters and helps with the extraordinary costs associated with recovering from disaster events.

Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Truck Drivers Receive Heart-Warming Cards Of Thanks From Local Children

The BC Trucking Association was so honoured to share these heartfelt Christmas cards with all commercial drivers in BC on behalf of Willowstone Academy’s Grade 2/3 class. They brought the biggest smiles to our faces with their handwritten notes of appreciation to these frontline workers who continue to drive and deliver the essentials against all odds.

BC Floods 2021 Report

Commercial drivers are often the unsung heroes of the supply chain, so a big thank you goes to all students in Miss Tattersall’s class for your incredible messages of support and kindness. Please be sure to share with a commercial driver you know so we can get their message out.

Source: BCTA