Will B.C. floods prompt a provincial state of emergency? First Nations call for action; premier to speak

A storm that left parts of British Columbia under water and debris prompted calls from some to declare a province-wide state of emergency.

A storm that left parts of British Columbia under water and debris prompted calls from some to declare a province-wide state of emergency.

A group representing B.C. First Nations addressed the government in a news release Tuesday, writing that such a state would allow easier access to support for members affected by what one provincial official called the "worst weather storm in a century." 

The premier is expected to speak publicly for the first time since announcing his biopsy for what was diagnosed as cancer, and he may address these calls.

CTVNewsVancouver.ca will stream the news conference LIVE @ 12:45 p.m.

The First Nations Leadership Council said many nations are under evacuation order or alert, and are struggling to navigate the complicated provincial system for emergency funding.

"B.C. must deploy all available resources and enact extraordinary measures. This can only happen by declaring a state of emergency," the FNLC wrote.

Calling a state of emergency gives the province extra powers under the Emergency Program Act. For example, during the state prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, a state of emergency allowed officials to fine those caught breaking certain orders issued by the provincial health officer.