Mr. Speaker, today I rise to present a petition on behalf of the residents of Abbotsford—South Langley, who are increasingly concerned about the severe and ongoing flood risks facing our Abbotsford community.
These petitioners note that Abbotsford's low-lying geography along the Fraser River has led to repeated flooding that has caused millions of dollars in damage to homes, farms, businesses and critical infrastructure, while also disrupting vital supply chains far beyond our region. They warn against aging and inefficient flood protection infrastructure that is failing to meet today's realities, and point out that meaningful flood mitigation requires urgent investment; moderate, climate-resilient infrastructure guided by science; and community support.
The petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to take a seat at the table with the province and municipality, to invest in flood mitigation and monitoring, early warning systems and emergency preparedness for Abbotsford, and to deliver clear, actionable flood mitigation measures in the next federal budget.