Question Period Note: Impact of Floods in British Columbia (BC) on Agriculture

What is the Government doing to support the agriculture sector?

FIRST RESPONSE:
1. My heart goes out to our farm families that have been affected by the torrential rains, flooding, and mudslides over the past week. Countless lives have been disrupted. Homes, businesses, and animals have been lost. I recognize that the emotional and financial impacts will continue to be felt across the province in the weeks and months ahead.

1. Our government recognizes the impact recent floods have had on BC’s agriculture industry. We are working with the province and other federal departments to assess the impact of this extreme weather event, minimize disruptions to local food supply chains, and identify transportation alternatives.

SUPPLEMENTARY RESPONSE:
1. The Government of Canada stands with farmers and communities who are feeling the impacts of extreme weather conditions in BC, and will support British Columbians with any federal resources required during this incredibly difficult time.
2. Our government is working with the provinces and territories, as well as with our industry partners, to support the mental health of Canadian producers. The wellbeing of our producers is paramount, and we will continue to support them in this difficult time.
3. Producers have access to a suite of business risk management programs to help them manage significant risks that threaten the viability of their farms and are beyond their capacity to manage.

1. Our government and the Government of British Columbia are working with the utmost urgency to complete a joint AgriRecovery assessment of the disaster to ensure that producers have support for the extraordinary costs of returning to production.

RESPONSIVE ON FARM CREDIT CANADA (FCC):
1. There are many farm families affected by the flooding, many of whom do business with Farm Credit Canada (FCC). FCC staff have been reaching out to customers to understand the impact of the situation. FCC will do all it can to support customers that have been affected by this emergency. Customers are encouraged to speak to their local FCC representative to discuss their specific situation.

BACKGROUND:

• From November 14-15, an ‘atmospheric river’ event inundated B.C.’s lower mainland with extreme rainfall – over 250mm in some areas. This rainfall, coupled with melting snow from higher elevations, led to multiple occurrences of flooding and mudslides.
• As a result of the mudslides, all major highways (1, 3, and 5) to/from the B.C. interior, as well as all CP and CN rail lines, were closed impacting traffic, movement of food, agricultural products and animals. Some highways have reopened for essential travel only, including access to agricultural operations, but the situation remains dynamic as weather patterns change. Some rail lines have been reestablished, expecting to be fully open from Kamloops to Vancouver by November 24.
• On November 17, BC declared a provincial state of emergency to support the province-wide response and recovery. It is initially in place for 14 days. The Canadian Armed Forces have been deployed to assist with evacuation efforts, support supply chain routes, and protect residents against floods and landslides. As part of this, the CAF are supporting the relocation of at-risk livestock, with 30,000 chickens recently relocated with CAF support on November 22.
• On November 18, the B.C. Government announced Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) for eligible British Columbians (including farmers and business owners) who were affected by flooding and landslides. Financial assistance is provided for each accepted claim at 80% of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1,000, to a maximum claim of $300,000.
• On November 19, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Fisheries (MAFF) submitted a request for a formal assessment under the AgriRecovery Framework. Federal and provincial officials are collecting information to better understand the full impacts and the extraordinary costs eligible under AgriRecovery.

• On November 20, a joint Federal / Provincial Supply Chain Recovery Working Group to restore the flow of goods through the province was announced. It is developing options for contingency transport and logistics for essential goods and materials.

• Industry’s concerns at the production level are focused on animal welfare, loss of production, and mental health for farmers.

• Progress is being made on all fronts in support of the sector. Particularly related to feed for livestock, and efforts to facilitate the movement of goods via alternate routes into the affected region; however, ongoing challenges with transportation disruptions and the constantly evolving situation raise concerns that impacts will soon be felt outside of BC as product coming from the Port of Vancouver cannot reach destinations further east.

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