British Columbia,16,DEC,2025,(India Today News CA):- Abbotsford Mayor Ross Siemens criticized the federal government for inaction on flood mitigation following recent Fraser Valley flooding in British Columbia. Federal Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski defended Ottawa’s response, highlighting available funding and recent program updates.​
Mayor’s Criticism
Siemens expressed profound disappointment, noting no federal contact during the crisis and rejection of $1.7 billion in mitigation funding proposals from Fraser Valley municipalities last summer. He linked the floods to unresolved issues from 2021, endangering residents, farms, livestock, and food security. Siemens praised provincial aid but demanded more than “empty promises” from feds.​
Federal Defense
Olszewski confirmed speaking with Siemens post-criticism, outlining funding streams like the updated Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA), which now covers mitigation and has reimbursed about $1 billion since 2021, with $4 billion more pending. She cited the $51 billion Build Communities Strong Fund for resilience projects but avoided specifics on unfulfilled promises like national flood insurance. Ottawa awaits formal aid requests from local or provincial levels.​
Flood Impacts
An atmospheric river caused severe flooding in Abbotsford’s Sumas Prairie, littering farms with debris and requiring reseeding; over 68 farms evacuated and 98 on alert province-wide. Dairy farmers like Matt Dykshoorn noted community support amid exhaustion from repeated events tied partly to U.S. border river issues. Waters began receding by mid-December 2025.
