Question Period Note: Flood Hazard Mapping & Identification

Canada is the only G7 country that lacks consistent and authoritative flood hazard mapping of its high-risk flood zones. This results in gaps in knowledge to inform flood risk management throughout Canadian jurisdictions. In response to this, Natural Resources Canada is working with Public Safety Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada, as well as with the provinces and territories and Indigenous peoples to complete all flood maps in Canada.
Uptake by provinces and territories of a federally-led Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping Program is expected to be positive given that this program will produce updated flood hazards maps critical in filling knowledge gaps across the country and will support environmental and economic priorities.

• Climate change and other factors have led to a considerable increase in the magnitude and frequency of floods in Canada in recent years, costing the Canadian economy more than any other hazard we face.
• Flood mapping is an important tool to identify potential flood events and to support informed decisions and investments to reduce the impacts of flooding in communities across Canada.
• Our government is committed to completing all flood maps in Canada to ensure all Canadians have access to up-to-date and authoritative information to keep their communities safe.
If pressed
• During major flood events in Canada, my department provides Canadians near–real time images of the extent of flooding, derived from satellite imagery.
• The department also actively contributes to the development and advancement of flood mapping practices by providing federal leadership, expertise and technical resources and guidelines, as well as stakeholder engagement and data sharing.

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