Whitehorse – Communities and governments are working together to prepare for and adapt to impacts of climate change, to help improve quality of life for Canadians in higher-risk areas, and to reduce the costs of disasters. In Canada, flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster, causing damage to households, property and infrastructure.
Harjit S. Sajjan, Canada’s Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan), on behalf of Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and Richard Mostyn, Yukon’s Minister of Community Services, on behalf of Nils Clarke, Yukon’s Minister of Environment, announced a joint investment of $3.5 million over the next four years to support the advancement of flood hazard mapping in the Yukon. Funding from the Government of Canada comes from the Flood Hazard Identification Mapping Program (FHIMP).
Flood hazard maps provide essential information that enables governments, communities and individuals to recognize flood hazards and employ effective mitigation strategies to reduce the impacts of flooding. The Governments of Canada and Yukon are committed to working together to provide high-quality flood mapping that is current and accessible, informs land use planning and adaptation efforts, and reduces flood risks in the future.
In line with the commitment made in Yukon’s climate strategy Our Clean Future, the Government of Yukon is already working toward producing flood maps for all the identified flood-prone Yukon communities. Many First Nations in the Yukon hold important insights into flooding history and have traditional knowledge that can strengthen the accuracy of flood maps for their communities. Today’s joint investment will enable the Government of Yukon to continue to work directly with First Nations governments, municipalities and communities to develop flood maps for remaining flood-prone Yukon communities.
Draft flood hazard maps and engagement have been completed for the communities of Carmacks, Carcross, Tagish, Marsh Lake and Lake Laberge, with the final maps to be published in the Government of Yukon’s Flood Atlas this summer. Upcoming flood hazard mapping is planned for Old Crow, Dawson City and the Klondike Valley, with work occurring in 2024 and 2025.
The Government of Canada remains committed to building on current collaborations with provincial and territorial partners to identify priority areas in each jurisdiction. Advancing the FHIMP will continue to help Canadians whose lives and jobs are affected when disasters strike; assist communities in dealing with the realities of increased climate-related hazards and disasters; and, ultimately, increase the country’s resiliency to the impacts of flooding.
“The increased risk of flooding is one of many threats that climate change poses to Yukon, and it is a risk that the Government of Canada takes very seriously. We are collaborating closely with provinces and territories to support flood hazard mapping that helps safeguard crucial infrastructure, minimizes disruptions to local economies and improves public safety. We appreciate the continued dedication from the Government of Yukon to deliver essential flood hazard information in order to reduce the impacts of flooding for Yukon communities.” – Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources