B.C. mayors slam feds over disaster relief funding [Video]

The mayors of three B.C. cities that were hard-hit by flooding in 2021 slammed the federal government Monday, saying they have been denied the financial support they need to rebuild and protect their communities.

Abbotsford Mayor Ross Simens described the move as “absolutely ridiculous” in a media release Monday, where the mayors of Merritt and Princeton echoed his criticism.

The three cities experienced devastating damage when a series of atmospheric rivers swept through the province in November of 2021. Their leaders are now saying that the current federal funding model disadvantages smaller communities, while accusing the feds of abandoning them.

“Senior levels of government promised to support us. They told us this was the way to get it,” said Merritt Mayor Michael G. Goetz, in a statement.

“Honestly, if preventing an almost guaranteed future disaster with a project like this doesn’t make the cut, I can’t imagine what projects in …