Question Period Note: Floodings

N.A.

• First Nations on reserves experience disproportionate impacts of emergency events. From 2020 to 2025, they experienced an average of 55 floods per year.
• First Nations lead efforts to protect their communities during emergencies. Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) works in partnership with communities to ensure they have the resources and support needed to carry out safe, culturally informed evacuations when facing risks like flooding.
• ISC has supported First Nations with on the land initiatives as an alternative to evacuations due to flooding threats enabling community members to remain on their traditional lands.

Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP)
• ISC’s EMAP helps eligible communities access emergency assistance services. EMAP provides funding to First Nations communities to build resiliency, prepare for natural hazards and respond to emergencies using the four pillars of emergency management (mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery).
• 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. ISC works with provincial and territorial governments to ensure First Nations communities have access to comparable emergency assistance services available to other residents in their respective jurisdictions.
• ISC provides advance payments to eligible communities when responding to or recovering from emergencies, to ensure communities have the financial flexibility to effectively deal with emergencies, including flooding.
• Canada’s flooding season, which has been linked to climate change, is lasting longer with more frequent and intense events. First Nations communities are particularly vulnerable to experiencing the impacts of these events.
• From 2009 to 2013, there was an average of 39 floods per year affecting First Nations on reserves. From 2020-2025, despite having seen below-average flooding in the most recent two seasons, this increased by 41.8% to an average of 55.3 floods per year.

If pressed on evacuations due to flood threats
• ISC’s Emergency Management Assistance Program supports First Nations on reserve to prepare for and respond to all-hazards, including floods.
• ISC works closely with First Nations leadership to support their preparation and response to potential flooding.
• ISC remains committed to supporting First Nations communities through all stages of emergencies, in a holistic and community-driven manner.
• When an emergency event occurs, ISC reimburses 100 percent of eligible response and recovery costs for First Nations who have been affected. If pressed on repatriation
• ISC liaises closely with First Nations leadership in all affected communities to support them during floods, ensuring community safety and the protection of community infrastructure, and coordinating response activities.
• ISC supports First Nations in assessing damages from flooding events and building back in a manner that best prepares for future emergencies. If pressed on health supports provided during evacuation
• ISC works with partners and local health authorities to facilitate transport logistics and to ensure continued medical care for evacuees. While in host communities, evacuees can access health services through the provincial health care system.
• ISC supports access to Mental Wellness services during evacuations, including Cultural and Traditional Mental Wellness Supports. 24/7 mental health support is available through ISC’s Hope for Wellness Help Line.