MLA Tegart to push for provincial supports

The Fraser-Nicola riding is ground zero currently for damage from Sunday’s devastating floods. The region is home to multiple blocked highway corridors, and of course the evacuated community of Merritt.

On Tuesday, Tegart addressed a host of issues in the riding, including those blocked highways, provincial supports for Merritt, and stressed ESS services around BC.

“I think that as we look at the next few days and do an assessment of infrastructure and the damage from the flood, the Province is going to have a very significant role to play. The Province has a significant role in recovery and hopefully we’ll see them right on the front lines and the people of Merritt can count of them,” said Tegart.

Merritt residents are expected to be out of their homes for at least another week, which will put a strain on ESS services around BC, with evacuees being spread out through Kamloops, Kelowna, Penticton, Salmon Arm and beyond.

“Anyone who has issues, we need to hear about it. We will do everything we can to ensure those services are there. If anyone is having any issues give our office a call and we will do everything we can to help,” added Tegart.

The Interior of BC is cut off from the Lower Mainland due to flooding and mudslides along highway corridors which all run through Tegart’s Fraser-Nicola riding.

“We just finished a briefing, and my understanding is highway 99 is priority number one because the belief is that may be the quickest to open. There is significant damage to the Coquihalla and Fraser Cannon, no timeline at this time, and it will very much be essential travel only when they begin to reopen,” said Tegart.

“I want to say thank you to everyone who has stepped up, everyone on the front line, to neighbours helping neighbours and people who ensured others got to safety, thank you to everyone and please stay safe,” con