Emergency management legislation

The Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) coordinates British Columbia's response to emergencies and disasters. EMCR has assumed the mandate of Emergency Management BC, which was previously part of the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

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Legislation and regulations

The Emergency Program Act (EPA) and related regulations govern how to manage a emergency or disaster in British Columbia:


Modernized emergency management legislation

New legislation is being developed to reflect the changing nature of emergencies and disasters. The changes will improve how we manage emergencies like pandemics, floods and wildfires. They also address the impact these events have on people and communities.

The changes will address new standards and best practices:


Emergency legislation and Indigenous communities

The Governments of Canada and the Province of British Columbia have a 10-year bilateral agreement (the Agreement), to enhance the delivery of emergency management support services to on-reserve First Nations communities in B.C. This agreement enables all First Nations communities on reserves to receive emergency management support equitable to what is currently provided to local authorities. 

The term 'Local Authority/ies' refer to municipalities, regional districts, Treaty First Nations and the Nisga’a Nation who have specific legislated emergency management requirements set out in the Emergency Program Act (EPA)

Treaty Nation governments may also choose to make their own laws regarding emergency management to the extent that those laws do not conflict with federal or provincial enactments.

Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP)

In partnership with First Nations communities, provincial and territorial governments and non-government organizations, Indigenous Services Canada's Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP) helps communities on reserve access emergency assistance services.

EMAP provides funding to First Nations communities so they can build resiliency, prepare for natural hazards and respond to them using the four pillars of emergency management.