The B.C. government announced it will provide a $10-million grant to support Avalanche Canada in a live-streamed press conference held on Monday, May 17.
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B.C.鈥檚 Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth acknowledged the province鈥檚 varied and beautiful scenery attracts visitors from all over the world, but also carries with it some of nature鈥檚 most treacherous elements, one being avalanche risk.
鈥淎pproximately 75 per cent of Canada鈥檚 avalanche fatalities occur here in British Columbia and that is a heartbreaking statistic that we want to work with Avalanche Canada on improving,鈥� Farnworth said.
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Though Avalanche Canada鈥檚 services are delivered across the country, 90 per cent of their services are delivered here in B.C.
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Avalanche Canada and its dedicated team of experts provide outreach, trip planning tools, terrain models and avalanche safety programs.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 work that will help people right across B.C. and it鈥檚 work we鈥檙e proud to support,鈥� Farnworth said. 鈥淎s a government, we also understand the organization鈥檚 concern about the need for reliable funding support to be able to do their jobs well.鈥�
The investment will allow the organization to provide more safety information and avalanche monitoring in B.C. improving public safety for all.
It will also allow them to leverage federal funding provided in 2019 to implement the National Avalanche Strategy.
鈥淲e are very grateful to the Government of B.C. for this funding,鈥� said Gilles Valade, executive director with Avalanche Canada. 鈥淭his ensures long-term sustainability for all our programs and allows us to expand our services to under-served regions of the province.鈥�
Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Doug Clovechok has been advocating strongly for secure funding for Avalanche Canada for the past two years.
鈥淚鈥檓 very pleased,鈥� he said of the funding announcement. 鈥淚t certainly takes some pressure off Avalanche Canada to get this funding.鈥�
Learn more about the work done by the organization at
paul.rodgers@kimberleybulletin
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