The British Columbia government’s emergency management minister, Kelly Greene, has criticized the federal government for its absence in flood mitigation planning meetings following recent devastating flooding incidents in the province.
In a press conference at Parliament Hill, Greene urged the federal government to collaborate with local authorities to address the challenges of flood mitigation, emphasizing the need for federal support in identifying critical infrastructure and improving fish habitats.
Alongside Abbotsford Mayor Ross Siemens and Sumas First Nation Chief Dalton Silver, Greene is set to meet with federal Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski and Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson to discuss the pressing issues.
Recent flooding in B.C.’s Fraser Valley, including the significant damage in December, has underscored the importance of federal involvement in addressing flood risks. Siemens highlighted the lack of federal attention as a contributing factor to the damaging floods in 2021.
Greene stressed the significance of the Fraser Valley’s Sumas Prairie in terms of food security and its role as a crucial transportation corridor for the national economy, especially in times of trade uncertainty.
This article was originally published on Feb. 4, 2026, by The Canadian Press.