Emergency management legislation

The Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) is the lead coordinator of B.C.'s emergency management activities.

​Legislation and regulations

The Emergency and Disaster Management Act (the Act) is British Columbia’s legislative framework for the four phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparation, response, and recovery.

Read the Act and its regulations:

• Emergency and Disaster Management Act
• ​Emergency and Disaster Management Regulation

The Compensation and Disaster Financial Assistance Regulation made under the former Emergency Program Act continues to apply until it is replaced by comparable regulations under the Act.

Implementing the Act

The Act replaced the Emergency Program Act in 2023.

While many provisions of the Act are now law, some features will only become functional once necessary regulations are made. The emergency management legislation in effect page lists key provisions that are currently functional and those that will become effective after regulations are completed.  

Currently, regulations are in development for:

1. Local authority emergency management (anticipated in Spring 2026, with key requirements taking effect in January 2027): To bring local authority risk assessment, emergency management planning, and business continuity planning requirements into effect. Regulations are also expected to provide further details on multijurisdictional emergency management organizations.
   • Read about the engagement, or
   • Read the summary of what we heard (PDF, 25.3MB)
2. Post-emergency financial assistance: To replace the current Compensation and Disaster Financial Assistance Regulation.

Regulations can also be made under the Act for the topics below. They are expected to follow once the regulations above are complete.

1. Critical infrastructure emergency management: To identify in-scope critical infrastructure owners and to bring risk assessment, emergency management planning, and business continuity planning requirements into effect
2. Public sector agency emergency management: To identify in-scope public sector agencies and to bring risk assessment, emergency management planning, and business continuity planning requirements into effect
3. Compliance and enforcement: To complete the legislative framework for compliance and enforcement

We continue to update policies, procedures, and guidance materials to support Indigenous governments, local authorities, and their emergency program staff with understanding and implementing the Act.

Additional resources

• Definition of emergency under the Act (PDF, 190KB)
• Indigenous Engagement Requirements Summary (PDF, 204KB)
• Indigenous Engagement Requirements (IER) Interim Guidance (PDF, 1.2MB)
• Emergency education programs and tools
• Indigenous communities and local government emergency management resources
• Local emergency response operations
• Disaster recovery resources for communities
• Emergency management policies