The Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada announced over $77 million in new funding to help Lytton, B.C. rebuild, while also becoming a leading example of resilient, net-zero design.
Last June, devastating wildfires tore through the Village of Lytton, causing catastrophic damage to the community, including tragic loss of life.
This funding will provide:
- $64 million, through Infrastructure Canada, to support the rebuilding of Lytton through the construction of net-zero, fire-resistant public buildings.
- $6 million for the new Lytton Homeowner Resilient Rebuild program to support insured homeowners who will rebuild to net-zero and fire-resistant standards; and
- $7.2 million to create the Lytton Business Restart program to help small- and medium-sized businesses get back on their feet. This funding, delivered by PacifiCan, will include support for Indigenous businesses and those operated by women, youth and other underrepresented groups.
“The people of Lytton suffered a devastating loss in the 2021 wildfire. The strength and hope they have shown is inspiring. This funding that we announced today will help rebuild Lytton and the businesses that are at its core. With this investment, Lytton will be positioned to become a leader in resilient, net-zero design that will support the community for today and tomorrow alike,” said Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada.
The funding announced by Minister Sajjan recognizes that rebuilding requires focusing on community infrastructure, housing for people, and restarting businesses that provide jobs and goods and services to the community. With a focus on building back a community even stronger and more resilient than before, this funding will ensure the community becomes a model for recovery after a climate change related disaster.
Last year’s fires also showed that fire spreads from one building to another. Fire resistant housing benefits the whole community and building net-zero homes benefits everyone, two key pieces of this investment. Minister Sajjan also recognized the critical importance of the local entrepreneurs who, through job creation and local trade, are the foundation of Lytton’s economy.
“The residents, businesses and organizations who made the Village of Lytton their home became homeless after the Lytton Creek Fire that swept through our community on June 30, 2021,” said Village of Lytton Mayor Jan Polderman. “Since that day, we have worked long and hard for the past 11 months to recover and get to the rebuilding of our community. Council has envisioned being a leader when building back Lytton. We have supported a vision to build to net zero by introducing a new building bylaw(s) to address this and to become a fire resilient community. This announcement today supports that vision! These funds will go a long way to supporting our residents, businesses and our neighbours to rebuild.”
Featured image: (Twitter: @PacifiCanEN)
