Question Period Note: Flooding

Government response to flooding

• Several Indigenous communities across Canada are situated in areas that are susceptible to flooding.

• Indigenous Services Canada continues to work closely with First Nations, provincial partners and community organizations to plan, address and mitigate flooding. First Nations are supported in leading efforts to address their current flooding situation.

• We are actively monitoring the situation and will continue to partner with impacted First Nations, leadership, and experts on response and recovery efforts.

• Public Safety Canada and ISC are both currently engaged in the annual planning and preparation process for the upcoming flood season. This includes engagement with First Nation leadership to understand their needs.
• Initial flood assessments show that the southern areas of the Yukon Territory, BC and the northern areas of the Northwest Territories are at high risk for future flooding. Southern Manitoba and Ontario (specifically the great lakes region and Kashechewan First Nation), are at moderate risk of flooding.
• In the 2021 flood season, 70 First Nations in British Columbia were impacted by flooding events.
• Of these, 15 First Nations had to undertake partial or full evacuations due to flooding impacts.
• The major flooding event of the past year was the atmospheric river events of November and December in which 65 First Nations were impacted.
• Flooding damages significantly impacted First Nations, including a bridge washout cutting off the main road access to Nicomen Indian Band and highway closures significantly extending travel times between some First Nations and service centers.
• Minister Bill Blair has created the Cabinet Committee of British Columbia and Federal Ministers on Disaster Response and Climate Relief. While this committee is BC focused, it will help the Government strengthen emergency management across Canada ensuring a strategic and proactive approach.
• ISC is engaging Indigenous leaders, with a focus on damage prevention and mitigation efforts. ISC is also focused on expanding its robust response and recovery capabilities.
• Non-structural mitigation measures during a recovery project are eligible under EMAP. These measures can include activities undertaken to reduce or avoid possible impacts of future emergency events, and include the application of engineering techniques to achieve hazard-resistance and resilience in structures or systems. Structural mitigation infrastructure projects are funded by the Capital Facilities Maintenance Program and the First Nations Infrastructure Fund.
• Examples of non-structural mitigation measures during a recovery project that were funded through EMAP in 21/22: adding culverts to roads that were flooded; assessing flood mitigation risk to protect homes and associated infrastructure from future flooding; installing groundwater and surface water data loggers for surface water monitoring.
Emergency Management Assistance Program

• ISC’s Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP) helps communities on reserve access emergency assistance services. EMAP provides funding to First Nation communities so they can build resiliency, prepare for natural hazards and respond to emergencies using the four pillars of emergency management (mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery).
• ISC works with provincial and territorial governments to ensure First Nation communities have access to comparable emergency assistance services available to other residents in their respective jurisdictions.
• Provinces and territories are responsible for emergency management within their areas of jurisdiction and therefore, have the expertise and capacity to deliver services on behalf of ISC. To ensure that First Nation communities have the assistance they need within the broader provincial or territorial emergency management system, ISC is in regular contact with provincial and territorial emergency management officials.

Ontario Flooding Evacuations

The threat of flooding is an ongoing reality for communities along the James Bay and Hudson Bay coasts. Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is working closely with communities to support their response to flooding.

ISC has approved funding for the evacuations and is working with partners to assist in coordination activities to ensure that the needs of the communities are being met.

For this flood season, ISC introduced an approach with Indigenous partners, as full and equal participants, with the province of Ontario and Canada which means: as soon as the Department is alerted to an incident or emergency event a Joint Command call of the three partners is convened to assess risk; make informed decisions on evacuation timing and destinations, and provide approvals so that partners can implement a rapid response. The three partners then mobilize efforts within their respective jurisdictions and responsibilities and, at the request of the Chief, the PEOC convenes regular update calls to inform and exchange information with all responders. Daily Joint Command and First Nation/PEOC partner calls will continue in order to monitor the quickly evolving situation, identify needs and have them quickly addressed.

On May 6, 2022, the Canadian Armed forces accepted the Request for Assistance which supported the evacuation of First Nation communities impacted by spring flooding along James Bay and Hudson Bay, including Kashechewan, Fort Albany and Attawapiskat.

Flooding Emergency update by First Nation:

Kashechewan First Nation
• Repatriation from host communities continues
• ISC approved funding six off-duty Canadian Rangers in community for a 3-day period
Fort Albany First Nation
• Off-duty Canadian Rangers ISC funded to assist in community.
• Elders have repatriated to the community with the support of escorts
Attawapiskat First Nation
• First Nation requested the evacuation pause on 14/05 as the water had receded 4-5 feet
• Missanabie Cree and Lac Seul First Nations are being stood up as host communities
Marten Falls First Nation
• The community’s low-lift station was damaged by an ice jam. Interim measures to pump source water to plant for treatment are operating well.
• Bottled water has arrived in community while waiting for repairs to be completed
• PEOC reported reduced capacity for evacuees and will explore evacuation options for 200-250 vulnerable community members.
• Chief has advised many members will not want to evacuate the community just because of the water situation.

Pikangikum First Nation

• Nursing station reported some flooding in the community and that anticipated flooding in the basement of the station itself was under control
• ISC officials spoke with Chief Owen regarding funding available for COVID outbreaks
Northwest Angle #33 First Nation
• Community to use the 10,000 bags on hand to fill with sand, gravel from construction at water treatment plant will be used and replaced; GCT3 Emergency Management Coordinator assisting
Lac La Croix First Nation
• State of Emergency received from Lac La Croix First Nation on 15/05. Sandbag request form provided by province
Naicatchewenin First Nation
• Flooding situation remains stable. Sandbag request form provided by province

Couchiching First Nation
• Flooding situation being monitored. Sandbag request form provided by province

If pressed on emergency management assistance for flooding
• Our Government continues to engage with Indigenous leaders to support emergency preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery from floods, in collaboration with provinces and non-governmental organizations.
• We will continue to work closely with partners to ensure that information is shared and proper preventative and mitigation measures are in place so communities are well prepared for floods.
• The Emergency Management Assistance Program will continue to work with First Nation leadership in recovering from the 2021 flood season, expediting support for projects to mitigate impacts of the 2022 flood season. Our Government’s commitment to build back better will help ensure Indigenous communities are prepared for future events.

If pressed on flood prevention - climate change and disaster mitigation efforts
• Climate change is disproportionally impacting Indigenous communities due to their remote locations, close ties to the land and reliance on natural resources.
• Engaging Indigenous leaders and implementing adaptation measures are keys to reducing impacts and increasing resiliency in communities. We will continue to work with communities to leverage their local knowledge to prepare for and mitigate the effects of future flooding.
• The Emergency Management Assistance Program is engaging First Nation leadership to ensure the health and safety of Indigenous Canadians.

Government response to BC flooding
• ISC is working with First Nation communities along with Emergency Management BC and the First Nations Emergency Services Society (FNESS) to mitigate damages and losses during the 2022 flood season.
• We will continue to work closely with partners to share information and collaborate on preventative measures. In advance of Freshet (spring flooding), ISC engages in seasonal readiness workshops along with Emergency Management BC, specifically for First Nations leadership and Emergency Management staff.
• ISC’s First Nation Infrastructure Fund has invested in projects in BC. These projects will modify hazards and make current and future structures more resilient to future emergency events.

Government response to Ontario flooding
• ISC is in regular contact with First Nation leadership, provincial emergency services and other Government departments to respond to emergency situations and manage risk to ensure the health and safety of community members and reduce flood damage.
• ISC has approved funding for evacuations currently underway and prevention and protection in communities to ensure that critical infrastructure is safeguarded and homes in communities affected by flooding are protected.

Government response to Manitoba flooding
• A recent weather system brought significant rain to southwestern Manitoba, causing overland flooding, loss of road access and evacuations.
• Flood waters across the Interlake continue to decline. The situation will continue to be monitored.
• ISC is working with First Nations, Province of Manitoba, City of Winnipeg, City of Brandon and Canadian Red Cross to provide support to evacuated community members.
• Response plans are activated to address overland flooding and repatriation and recovery planning is beginning.

If pressed on the evacuation at Peguis First Nation
• As of May 27, 2022, 1987 Peguis First Nation evacuees from 744 households are now accommodated in Winnipeg, Selkirk, Brandon, Gimli, and Portage la Prairie.
• With flood waters receding, comprehensive repatriation and recovery planning as well as damage assessments are under way.
• As of May 30, 2022, some evacuees were able to return home to the community to retrieve belongings, however, no evacuees have been repatriated home through the Canadian Red Cross.

If pressed on support to Peguis First Nation
• ISC is urgently flowing a $1 million advance progress payment to the First Nation to cover initial flood response which is expected to be in the First Nation’s account by May 31, 2022.
• An additional $1.5 million advance progress payment will be provided to support ongoing efforts. ISC is actively working with the community to flow the additional funding as soon as possible.
• Beyond efforts to resolve the current crisis situation, ISC and Peguis First Nation will establish a working group to actively and comprehensively plan for long-term solutions.