Extreme Weather Response

Extreme Weather Response

The Extreme Weather Alert (EWA) has been cancelled for the City of Victoria.

Cancellation of an Extreme Weather Alert

 

Pursuant to sec. 2(2)(e) of the Assistance to Shelter Act the Extreme Weather Alert (EWA) issued on February 27, 2023, for the City of Victoria, British Columbia, is now cancelled.

 

The authorities in the Assistance to Shelter Act for police to assist persons at risk due to extreme weather conditions are no longer in effect.

This Cancellation of an EWA is being issued on March 01, 2023, due to improved weather conditions and forecast. 

Cancellation of an Extreme Weather Alert issued by: Althea Divinagracia, Extreme Weather Response Coordinator. 

 

As defined by the Assistance to Shelter Act [SBC 2009] Chapter 32:

Extreme weather alert by community representative

2   (1)In this section, “extreme weather conditions” has the meaning under paragraph (a) (i) of the definition of “extreme weather conditions” in section 1.

     (2) A community representative designated for the geographical area to which an Extreme Weather Response Plan applies may do all of the following:

          (a) determine when extreme weather conditions exist;
          (b) if, in the opinion of the community representative, extreme weather conditions exist, issue an extreme weather alert in the prescribed manner;
          (c) immediately after issuing an extreme weather alert, notify, in the prescribed manner, the following that an extreme weather alert has been issued:
                    (i)all of the police forces in the geographical area to which the Extreme Weather Response Plan applies;
                    (ii)the minister;

          (d) determine when extreme weather conditions no longer exist;
          (e) if, in the opinion of the community representative, extreme weather conditions no longer exist, cancel the extreme weather alert in the prescribed manner;
          (f) immediately after cancelling an extreme weather alert, notify, in the prescribed manner, the following that an extreme weather alert has been cancelled:
                   (i)all of the police forces in the geographical area to which the Extreme Weather Response Plan applies;
                   (ii)the minister.

Assessment if person is person at risk

5   (1)If an extreme weather alert has been issued under section 2 or 3 and is in effect, a police officer may assess whether a person is a person at risk.

     (2)In an assessment under subsection (1), a police officer must consider whether all of the following apply:
         (a)the person is in the geographical area to which the extreme weather alert applies;
         (b)the person is, or reasonably appears to be, 19 years of age or older;
         (c)the person, in the opinion of the police officer, is suffering physical harm or is at risk of suffering physical harm because of the extreme weather conditions;
        (d)any other prescribed considerations.

Visit bclaws.gov.bc.ca for a full description of the Assistance to Shelter Act.