ESS funding at odds

“The trailers are something that we first asked the province for back in 2024,” Spooner explained. “We were able to make a business case that showed that each year we’ve been activated, we’ve spent a considerable amount of the province’s money in using civic space.”

The city has become a frequent destination for evacuees during wildfire seasons and other emergencies due to its location, infrastructure, and available services. As a result, emergency management has evolved into a larger and more structured operation than it was just a few years ago.

That growth, however, has become the focus of a political debate at City Hall.

Funding for emergency services was examined during budget discussions earlier this year and resurfaced recently through a council resolution introduced by councillors Garth Frizzell and Tim Bennett.

Bennett says the purpose of the motion was not to reduce services, but rather to begin a broader conversation about whether there are more sustainable ways to fund emergency preparedness and response.

“So the intent of this motion is actually to be proactive and not wait until budget to have a conversation about how we could do things differently,” Bennett said.

He added that council wants staff to explore alternative funding models and compare Prince George’s approach with other jurisdictions.

“The motion that was in front of the table was to have staff look at how emergency services are funded within the City of Prince George and see if there are other options that might make more sense, and allow us to look at how we can better stretch dollars to meet the demand.”

Supporters of the review argue that emergency management has become an increasingly significant expense and that council has a responsibility to ensure resources are being used as efficiently as possible.

Among the strongest voices calling for change is Councillor Kyle Sampson.

Sampson argues the city’s emergency management budget has expanded considerably and believes Prince George may be taking on responsibilities that are regional in nature.

“We’ve kind of self-delegated that to ourselves,” Sampson said. “We’ve ramped this up to a point where it’s quite a hefty budget.”

According to Sampson, the program now costs well over half a million dollars and supports two full-time equivalent positions. He questions whether that level of spending is justified, particularly when other communities utilize different organizational models.

“I don’t think that is a reasonable amount to be spending on something that I think could be done with more limited resources, that is managed in a different way,” he said.

Sampson suggested Prince George should evaluate how other municipalities and regional districts deliver emergency management services.

“You look at different operating models around municipalities, regional districts, whatever it may be. I think that we’re doing it, sure. We offer a great service. I think we could be offering that same great service at a lower cost.”

Spooner, meanwhile, defends the city’s investment, arguing that much of the financial burden associated with emergency activations is covered by senior levels of government.

She notes that provincial funding covers the majority of operational expenses when large-scale evacuations occur, while local preparedness efforts ensure the city is ready to respond when needed.

More importantly, she says history has demonstrated that evacuees will continue arriving in Prince George regardless of how much the city chooses to budget for emergency planning.

“Regardless of whether or not we plan for it, people are going to come to Prince George either way,” Spooner said.

She pointed to recent and past emergency events as evidence that the city inevitably becomes a hub for displaced residents seeking accommodation, services, and support.

“That’s what we found out with Jasper. That’s what we found out in 2017 and 2018. And so we have a choice of either being ready and prepared for it or reacting to it.”

Spooner argues preparedness ultimately protects residents by reducing disruptions during an emergency. The goal, she says, is to ensure that when evacuees arrive, the systems required to support them are already in place, minimizing impacts on local services and the broader community.

While council appears united in its support for helping people during emergencies, members remain divided on the best way to fund and organize those efforts. The forthcoming review is expected to examine alternative options and provide council with a better understanding of how Prince George compares with other local governments.

For now, the Emergency Operations Centre may be quiet, but the discussion over the future of emergency management in Prince George is far from over.

by Cheryl Jahn

ESS funding at odds

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