Good morning, Mr. Chair and members of the committee.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you as part of this important study on fresh water.
My name is Zita Botelho, and I am the director of Watersheds BC. I'm calling in from the unceded territories of the Songhees and Esquimalt nations.
Since 2021, Watersheds BC has been working in partnership with two philanthropic organizations to help deliver $42 million of B.C. provincial funding that has supported 110 watershed security-related projects across B.C.
I need to start by identifying a problem. Over the last 15 years, the federal government has been weakly engaged in freshwater issues in B.C. Recognizing the diversity of freshwater challenges across the country, B.C. continues to see little federal engagement relative to other regions.
Today, I'm here to talk to you about a win-win-win opportunity for the federal government. The conditions in B.C. are both urgent and optimal for the federal government to actively collaborate with the Province of B.C., the NGO community and first nations.
I will speak to four conditions that offer an opportunity for the federal government to demonstrate leadership that will yield substantial economic benefits, drive employment transitions, uplift rural and remote communities, advance UNDRIP implementation and, importantly, address the escalating costs of climate impacts.
First, the B.C. government has put skin in the game. Since 2021, it has invested $57 million in funding watershed security projects. In March 2022, the B.C. government committed an additional $100 million to establish an endowment for a watershed security fund. This fund is being co-developed with the first nations water caucus to create a governance and implementation framework for a long-term sustainable fund.
B.C. has seen the benefits of its investments, and this is an immediate opportunity for the federal government to invest $400 million over four years to match B.C.'s initial investment. These B.C. investments have primed the pumps and cleared the pathway for delivering impact and results.
Second, let's delve into the economic potential that investing in watershed security can unlock. There's a prime opportunity to create jobs and employment transitions. The Healthy Watersheds Initiative's major outcomes report shared that $20 million in funding resulted in 1,273 direct jobs across B.C.
More recently, through the Indigenous Watersheds Initiative, 103 jobs are being supported by 14 projects, with 62% of jobs being held by community members. We estimate that IWI will support approximately 245 jobs, with many in remote and rural indigenous communities. These investments are supporting jobs that focus on monitoring and assessment, indigenous knowledge and land-based learning, planning and governance, fisheries and food sovereignty, restoration and protection.
Third, let's consider the pressing issue of climate impacts and the costs associated with them. You likely need no reminder of the devastating atmospheric river that hit B.C. in October 2021, or the record wildfire and droughts of 2023. The cost of the 2021 floods was $9 billion. Yesterday, B.C.'s finance minister reported that the cost of this year's wildfire budget is $987 million, and that figure doesn't include the costs to individuals, businesses and communities. The wildfire burned scars that criss-crossed this province, creating increased risks of flood, mud and landslides. This year's historic widespread drought is predicted to result in a billion dollars' worth of economic losses.
Investing in watershed security is a proactive step toward climate resilience, which not only safeguards our communities, but also saves money in the long run. Look no further than the successful projects funded by the Healthy Watersheds Initiative. These projects, whether addressing wildfires, floods or restoring wetlands, showcase the tangible benefits of investing in watershed health. We witnessed their successes in real time during the floods. This isn't just about crisis management; it's about long-term planning that ensures the safety and well-being of citizens.
Fourth, investing in watershed security helps to advance the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Through the work of HWI, we have seen how this investment supported articles 18, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 36 and 39. The investment enables first nations to focus on their priorities, and they have shown their leadership through this work.
As I hope I have made clear, conditions in B.C. are ripe for collaboration and well positioned to deliver positive impacts and outcomes. I recommend that the federal government invest $400 million in the watershed security fund.
I commend this committee for studying such a crucial matter. By prioritizing and making these investments, we can build resilience in our communities and proactively respond to disasters before they happen.
I look forward to continuing this conversation with you and answering any questions you may have.