After back-to-back flood occasions, the mayor of Princeton, B.C., says excessive climate is not a uncommon prevalence, and the federal authorities should step in earlier than the following catastrophe hits.
The Similkameen Valley was inundated by historic flooding in November 2021, one of many worst in Princeton’s historical past. Just some years later, in December 2025, one other highly effective atmospheric river in B.C. as soon as once more pressured dozens of residents from their properties.
“This isn’t turning into a one-in-25 or one-in-200-year occasion, that is turning into common,” stated Princeton Mayor Spencer Coyne.
“The federal authorities must see that that is greater than the province of British Columbia and native authorities. They’ve a severe position to play.”
Regardless of the dimensions of the harm in 2021, Princeton was denied federal mitigation funding in 2024, a choice Coyne says left the neighborhood susceptible as excessive climate occasions intensify.
In response to Coyne, Princeton was not alone. Different main municipalities hit by the 2021 atmospheric river, together with Abbotsford and Merritt, have been additionally turned down for funding that they had been inspired to use for.
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“Not one of the primary municipalities that have been hit within the 2021 atmospheric river acquired that funding,” Coyne stated.
Conservative MP Helena Konanz, who represents Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, says Princeton did all the pieces required to safe federal assist.
“Princeton put collectively a plan, and it was denied,” Konanz stated. “No various plan was supplied by Ottawa.”
Konanz has now taken the difficulty again to the federal stage, sending a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney urging rapid motion to prioritize flood mitigation and infrastructure repairs within the Similkameen Valley.
“That is one thing the neighborhood wants,” she stated. “It wants safety, and it wants what was promised by the federal authorities.”
Coyne argues devoted federal funding is crucial for communities repeatedly impacted by climate-related disasters.
“There must be a fund put aside for communities which might be immediately impacted,” he stated.
Princeton is dwelling to about 3,000 folks, however its significance extends far past its inhabitants dimension. Freeway 3, a crucial transportation hall for British Columbia, runs immediately by means of the city, one thing Coyne says ought to make federal assist a precedence.
“When the economic system of British Columbia and Western Canada will depend on Freeway 3 and Freeway 5, we’re not some far-flung outpost,” Coyne stated. “We’re a part of this nation’s economic system.”
With only some years separating main flood occasions, residents are left residing with uncertainty.
“We’re all standing right here questioning when the following one goes to hit us,” Coyne stated, “and are we nonetheless going to be standing on the finish of it.”
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