Image: B.C. Govt., Flickr / Flooding along Hwy. 1 between Abbotsford and Chilliwack. The City of Abbotsford is seeking input from local businesses through a one-day workshop as it continues to build emergency management and climate readiness in the region. The workshop will be held next Wednesday, Nov. 15 at the Clarion Hotel in Abbotsford. 
City of Abbotsford

City of Abbotsford to partner with Chilliwack for joint emergency engagement workshop Nov. 15

Nov 8, 2023 | 10:55 AM

ABBOTSFORD — The City of Abbotsford is seeking input from local businesses through a one-day workshop as it continues to build emergency management and climate readiness in the region.

The City of Abbotsford, together with Community Futures South Fraser and Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation (CEPCO), welcomes feedback from local businesses on their experiences and priorities regarding climate-related emergencies through a one-day emergency-engagement workshop. The workshop takes place on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at the Clarion Hotel in Abbotsford.

“During emergencies businesses are at their most vulnerable,” said Nicole Read, general manager of Community Futures South Fraser and also a Chilliwack city councillor. “Their needs are different and a business-centered response is essential to protect and revitalize our community’s economy. Community Futures’ goal is to get businesses back on their feet as soon as possible and this is why this engagement is critical. We are excited to be a part of the solution.”

Image: City of Chilliwack / Councillor Nicole Read, general manager of Community Futures South Fraser.

The workshop will provide small businesses and those in the agricultural, construction and manufacturing communities the chance to learn more about proposed new provincial emergency management regulations, share their experiences following the November 2021 flood, and discuss how the new regulations can be more informed by their experiences. Attendees will also hear from experts in emergency management and climate readiness and participate in small-group sessions on disaster financial assistance and climate adaptation and readiness.

“The farming and business community in Abbotsford and the surrounding areas was severely impacted during the November 2021 flood and learning from their real-life experiences dealing with the aftermath and navigating the post-emergency financial assistance is invaluable, said Ross Siemens, Mayor of Abbotsford. “Working to build our emergency readiness and resilience is a community effort, and insights from local farm and business operators will help shape our suggestions for the Province.”

Recommendations and feedback gathered at the one-day event will be rolled into a written submission to the province of B.C. for their consideration for their upcoming Emergency Management Regulation. Interested businesses can learn more and register at emergencyengagement.eventbrite.ca. More information on the development of the Province’s new emergency management regulations, as well as additional ways to provide feedback is available through govTogetherBC.