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Federal and B.C. representatives work on recovery programs in wake of floods

Federal and provincial representatives say they are collaborating on recovery and rebuilding efforts for sectors affected by the floods and landslides in B.C.

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 last week to listen to 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.

According to Popham, work is being done to develop “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…”

AgriRecovery is a federal-provincial-territorial disaster relief framework intended to work together with the core of Business Risk Management (BRM) programs to help agricultural producers recover from natural disasters and helps with the extraordinary costs associated with recovering from disaster events.

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. Over 800 farms in British Columbia currently under evacuation orders.

Canadian Armed Forces personnel 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.

Mental health 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.