Harjit S. Sajjan, the federal minister of Emergency Preparedness and the minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, brought some flood relief news to the Yukon this week.

While in Whitehorse on Monday, he announced three advance payments totaling $8.7 million to the Yukon through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) program.

The money will assist with response and recovery costs associated with the 2023, 2022 and 2021 spring floods.

“Climate change has increased the severity and frequency of extreme weather events across Canada,” the federal government said in a statement.

“Yukon has experienced flooding every spring for three consecutive years.”

In 2023, several communities suffered flooding and property damage to their residences, small businesses, commercial greenhouses, and farms.

In 2022, flooding and landslides caused damage to bridges, roads, and a number of homes.

And, in 2021, flooding caused damage to public infrastructure as well as numerous homes, bridges and roadways.

“Extreme weather events and natural disasters are a growing threat to the safety and economic stability of Canadian communities,” the government said.

Ottawa will continue to work closely with the Yukon government to respond and recover from the disastrous events.

“We are committed to supporting the Yukon in their recovery and rebuilding efforts as communities face the devastating effects of more frequent and severe flooding.” Sajjan said.

“As we join forces to confront the growing challenges of climate change, we are committed to building back stronger, more resilient, and more sustainable communities.”

As climate change impacts the territory, said Community Services Minister Richard Mostyn, “the Yukon faces increasingly frequent flood events.

“Our government is committed to prioritizing the health and well-being of Yukoners and building resilient communities.

“We are grateful for the Canadian government’s collaboration on and additional funding for the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements program.”

From May 7 to June 14, 2023, flooding occurred in multiple regions across Yukon as a result of both the breakup of ice jams, and the spring snowmelt.

The flooding was primarily driven by above-average snowpacks, precipitation and seasonal temperature changes.

Ice jams continued to occur in different regions across the Yukon in mid-May, resulting in road closures in numerous communities due to washouts.

The increase of water levels between May 19 and 23, 2023 resulted in a recommendation for the evacuation of residents in the Dawson region. As a result of the disaster, several communities suffered flooding and property damage to their residences, small businesses, commercial greenhouses, and farms.

“Every Yukoner has been touched by the effects of a rapidly changing climate. In the last three years, flooding and landslides have had acute effects on our communities,” said Yukon MP Brendan Hanley.

“This funding will help the Yukon restore buildings, properties, and infrastructure damaged by these extreme weather events.”

From April 30 to July 20, 2022, flooding and landslides occurred in multiple regions across Yukon as a result of the spring freshet which was driven primarily by the record-setting snowpack in many watersheds across the territory.

Excessive snowmelt and high ground water levels were also determined to be the cause of landslides in Whitehorse and Dawson.

The flooding and landslides caused damage to bridges, roads, and a number of homes. The Canadian Red Cross provided assistance with flood preparation and response.

The Yukon experienced flooding between June 24 to Sept. 23, 2021 as a result of high temperatures and scattered showers contributing to rapid melting of an above-average winter snowfall.

The flooding of 2021 caused damage to public infrastructure as well as 57 homes, six bridges and several roadways.

The Canadian Armed Forces were deployed to support efforts on the ground. The Canadian Red Cross also provided support and emergency accommodation to the affected communities.

In Canada, emergencies are managed first at the municipal level and if assistance is needed, the municipality requests it from the province or territory.

If the emergency escalates further, provinces and territories can get help from the federal government.

The DFAA provides assistance when response and recovery costs exceed what individual provinces or territories could be expected to bear on their own.

Federal government payments are calculated on a per-capita basis and are cost-shared with the province or territory.

The amount cost-shared is determined by an established formula of up to 90 per cent of the costs of eligible expenses.

Eligible expenses under the DFAA include, but are not limited to, evacuation operations and restoring public works and infrastructure to their pre-disaster condition.

Also eligible is the restoration or replacement of individuals’ uninsurable principal dwellings, restoration of small businesses, and farmsteads and mitigation measures to reduce the future vulnerability of repaired or replaced infrastructure.