With the next provincial election approaching fast in October, the BC United have unveiled a plan for a “world-class” Wildfire Prevention and Response Institute.
This is one of the first big campaign promises from the party which currently acts as Opposition to the BC NDP.
As wildfires in BC continue to escalate with every passing year, BC United is saying that the province is in need of a bolstered wildfire policy and the institute they have just announced their intention to build.
They say the Wildfire Prevention and Response Institute would be based in Kamloops, would reduce the impacts of natural disasters and would reduce their economic and environmental impact.
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Additionally, the BC United say that they would invest more in fire suppression technology such as drones, artificial intelligence for early detection, night-vision for battling blazes around the clock and more water delivery systems.
Lastly, the BC United say they would pour funding into a better “full-time firefighting service” with more personnel and aircraft.
“We cannot continue with the same lack of wildfire preparedness and action from David Eby’s NDP government year after year and expect to see a different result,” said Mike Bernier, BC United Shadow Minister for Forests, Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, and MLA for Peace River South.
“British Columbia can and should be a leader on the world stage when it comes to implementing cutting-edge wildfire strategy, technology and training—creating a world-class Wildfire Prevention and Response Institute in Kamloops will do just that.”
BC United says that they would build this institute with a $78 million initial investment.
Despite this lofty plan, according to current polls in the province, BC United Party is projected to lose most of their seats to the Conservative Party of British Columbia, including Bernier’s seat.
Additionally, polls predict that BC United Leader Kevin Falcon will lose his own seat to the Conservatives in the election.
The provincial election is to be held on October 19th.
