The new Emergency and Disaster Management Act, (EDMA) is now in force in BC. While new tools and powers under the EDMA are now in place, other components will be phased in over time through regulation.
To support the update and development of these new regulations, British Columbia’s Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) has been working with local authorities, First Nations and Indigenous partners, critical infrastructure owners, public sector agencies, and members of the public to better understand:
The current state of public and private emergency management programming in the province;
Stakeholder needs, capacities/limitations/constraints, and anticipated response challenges;
The hazards and risks facing communities/organizations;
Mechanism and frequency of desired stakeholder engagement/consultation; and
Reasonable timelines required to align with the EDMA.
Their feedback was captured and summarized in the recently published EDMA: What We Heard Report 2024.
The report details the overarching themes of capacity/resource gaps, a desire for flexibility in the implementation of emergency management programming (i.e., guidance vs. rigid/overly prescriptive requirements), acknowledgment of regional differences and practical emergency management needs, and the importance of cultural safety and diversity.
Understanding these themes, EMCR has established the following core areas of focus for regulatory development:
Provincial government ministries: To identify ministries responsible for completing hazard-specific risk assessments and emergency management plans, anticipated in mid-2024
General regulations: To provide clarity including defining the term “treaty area”, targeting mid-2024, with additional general regulations anticipated in 2025
Local authority emergency management: Bringing into effect requirements for risk assessments, business continuity plans, and emergency management plans, as well as potentially providing further details on multi-jurisdictional emergency management organizations, targeting mid-2025
Post-emergency financial assistance: To replace the current Compensation and Disaster Financial Assistance Regulation, anticipated for 2025
Critical infrastructure: Including establishing requirements to complete risk assessments, business continuity plans, and emergency management plans, targeting 2026
Compliance and enforcement: Completing the legislative framework for compliance and enforcement, targeting 2026
Once regulations are in force, additional time will be provided to meet new emergency planning requirements.
Refer to When Does B.C.'s New Emergency Management Legislation Come Into Effect? for details on what is currently in force under EDMA, and a breakdown of anticipated regulatory changes.
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