Welcome to the information hub for the Emergency and Disaster Management Act (EDMA) that replaced the Emergency Program Act (EPA) on November 8, 2023. This is where we will post updates related to the new legislation to help navigate the changes.
The updated legislation reflects the realities of the modern world including global pandemics, security threats and climate change, and shifts from focusing on emergency response to the four phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparation, response, and recovery.
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Indigenous Engagement Requirements (IER) Interim Guidance (PDF, 1.2MB)
This is intended to support regulated entities (including certain provincial ministries, municipalities, regional districts, prescribed critical infrastructure owners and public sector agencies) with understanding and implementing the Indigenous engagement requirements included in the EDMA and build relationships with Indigenous governing bodies.
State of Local Emergency (SOLE) guidance and templates
Emergency program staff and officials must be prepared to declare a state of local emergency in response to an emergency. The guide and templates have been updated to guide the process.
Evacuation guidance and templates
Once a state of local emergency has been declared, emergency program staff and officials should be prepared to evacuate areas if needed. The guides and templates have been updated to reflect the EDMA requirements, and new two-page checklists have been developed to support the different processes.
Local Recovery Period (LRP) guidance and templates
If a local authority is ready to transition out of a state of local emergency, a local recovery period can provide continued access to certain emergency powers to support recovery from the emergency. The guide and templates support this process and provide information on when a local recovery period may/may not be necessary.
Response and Recovery Powers (PDF, 386KB)
This is an overview of powers available under the Emergency and Disaster Management Act during emergency response and recovery.
Post-Event Reporting by Local Authorities
The guide provides an overview of reporting requirements for local authorities after the expiry or cancellation of a state of local emergency or local recovery period. The template outlines specific reporting requirements.
Indigenous Engagement Requirements Summary (PDF, 204KB)
Overview of Indigenous engagement requirements (IER) for local authorities. See the IER Interim Guidance above for more details.
When Does B.C.’s New Emergency Management Legislation Come into Effect? (PDF, 183KB)
This provides information on key components of the Emergency and Disaster Management Act now in force and those coming into effect through regulations.
Multijurisdictional Emergency Management Organizations (PDF, 152KB)
This introduces the concept of how multiple jurisdictions can formally collaborate on emergency management.
Definition of Emergency (PDF, 190KB)
This explains the updated definition of emergency.
New Emergency and Disaster Management Act – Risk assessments provides an overview of new requirements related to risk assessments.
New Emergency and Disaster Management Act – Recovery period provides an overview of the new recovery tool available to local authorities.
Webinars were recorded between July and September 2023, and provide an overview of key policy concepts included in the EDMA.
Since adopting the United Nations Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in 2018, the Province has worked towards modernizing B.C.’s emergency management legislation. The process has included consultation and cooperation with First Nations, engagement with Indigenous partners, collaboration with other ministries, local authorities, critical infrastructure owners and public sector agencies, and broad public engagement activities.
The new Act takes a proactive approach that reflects all four phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparation, response, and recovery.
To support the new legislation, the Province is working to update and develop regulations in key areas. Regulations are being developed in consultation and cooperation with First Nations, and informed by engagement with Indigenous organizations, provincial ministries, municipalities, regional districts, critical infrastructure owners, public sector agencies, service providers, emergency management practitioners and the public.
This work will be phased over several years.
On July 8, 2024, new regulations were introduced that, in summary:
The full text of these regulations can be found in Order in Council 435/2024 on BC Laws website.
Core areas for future regulations and anticipated timing for implementation:
Once regulations are in force, additional time will be provided to regulated entities to meet new emergency management planning requirements.