K鈥櫭砿oks First Nation has received more than a quarter million dollars to better prepare for disasters and reduce risks from hazards in a changing climate.

On Thursday, March 21, the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness announced a total of $39 million for more than 50 local disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation projects through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF).

KFN will receive $268,576 for a joint (with the City of Courtenay) temporary flood-mitigation planning project. The funding falls under the category of 鈥渘on-structural activities (land-use planning, community education, purchase of eligible equipment).鈥�

鈥淭he climate crisis is here and we need communities to adapt and strengthen their defences against flooding and other extreme-weather events,鈥� said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. 鈥淲e are working with local governments and First Nations to reduce disaster risk and better prepare people and communities for the impacts of climate change.鈥�

鈥淭he K鈥檕moks First Nation have been working with and caring for these lands and waters since time immemorial,鈥� said Courtenay-Comox MLA Ronna-Rae Leonard. 鈥淭his funding for Courtenay and the K鈥檕moks First Nation to partner on flood-mitigation planning will help our leaders to better understand flood risks and how to deal with them together.鈥�

The Record has reached out to KFN and the City of Courtenay for additional comments.